Elina Svitolina shocks Iga Swiatek to continue dream Wimbledon run and set up Marketa Vondrousova semi-final
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Updated 11/07/2023 at 16:19 GMT
Elina Svitolina reached her third Grand Slam semi-final - and first since giving birth - as she beat world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Svitolina produced a superb display as she rallied from a break down in the first set to overcome Swiatek, who was bidding to win Wimbledon for the first time. Svitolina will face Marketa Vondrousova for a place in the final.
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Elina Svitolina’s dream Wimbledon run continued as she upset top seed Iga Swiatek in a thrilling contest to reach the semi-finals.
Svitolina, who returned to the tour in April after giving birth to her first child, won 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2 to reach her third Grand Slam semi-final – and second at Wimbledon.
Swiatek led by a break in the opening set, but lost 16 of the last 18 points to fall behind.
The world No. 1 then grew increasingly frustrated in the third set as her hopes of a fifth major title were dashed for now by an inspired display from Svitolina.
Svitolina will next face Marketa Vondrousova after she beat fourth seed Jessica Pegula 6-4 2-6 6-4.
“It’s really unbelievable," said Ukrainian Svitolina, who also made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2019.
"I am really happy that I got this chance to play here again and playing this great match, it was an unbelievable feeling for me."
The result means Swiatek will lose her world No. 1 ranking if Aryna Sabalenka, who plays Madison Keys in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, reaches the final.
This has been a remarkable run for Svitolina, who has now taken out four former Grand Slam champions on her way to the semis.
She didn’t make the best of starts, double faulting to hand over a break in the opening game and then missing a forehand to get broken again after levelling at 2-2.
Swiatek looked to be on top, holding from 0-30 as she moved a game away from the set.
But the momentum swung in surprising fashion.
Svitolina ripped a forehand winner to hold for 5-4 and then broke to love after a double fault from Swiatek.
Svitolina made it three games in a row and continued to attack to bring up two set points.
Swiatek then missed a volley to give Svitolina the set.
After the roof was closed on Centre Court due to rain, Swiatek, who won just one second serve point in the opening set, was gifted a break early in the second set after Svitolina netted a simple put-away shot at the net with her opponent on the baseline.
Had she converted she would have won the game, but Svitolina followed up with a double fault and then netted, before another double fault helped Swiatek to break.
Svitolina fought back brilliantly to level and then saved two more break points at 4-4.
Svitolina continued to edge ahead and passed Swiatek at the net to lead for 6-5.
But Swiatek showed her resolve as she held and then rallied from 4-1 down in the tie-breaker to force a deciding set.
It looked then like the momentum might be with Swiatek, but just as she had done earlier in the match, Svitolina held firm and continued to pressure the world No. 1.
Swiatek saved two break points in the third game but then went long as Svitolina broke.
A tense hold followed before another break as Svitolina took charge and Swiatek started to show frustration.
Svitolina didn't wobble with the finish in sight and closed out a very impressive win in just under three hours.
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You can watch daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm on Eurosport 2 and discovery+, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16.
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