2023-07-11 18:50:15
The Ukrainian Elina Switolina continued her impressive triumph at the Tennis Grand Slam in Wimbledon. The 28-year-old eliminated the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals on Tuesday with 7: 5, 6: 7 (5), 6: 2 and reached the round of the last four for the second time in the London grass classic. In the semifinals on Thursday, Switolina meets the Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the 24-year-old defeated Jessica Pegula from the USA 6:4.2:6.6:4.
For Switolina, who is married to the French tennis professional Gael Monfils and who is only in the main draw thanks to a wild card from the organizers, Wimbledon might become a very special Hollywood brand story. The athlete only gave birth to a girl last October and only returned to the tour in April. “If someone had told me at the start of the tournament that I would go to the semifinals and beat the world number 1, I would have said you were crazy,” said the winner following the game.
Switolina got off to a weak start on Center Court. As in the round of 16 once morest Viktoria Asarenka from Belarus, the outsider looked nervous and was twice a break behind in the first set. But then the Ukrainian improved, played much more aggressively and put Swiatek under pressure. The Pole, most recently title holder at the French Open, got nervous and made a few minor mistakes. Switolina took advantage of this and got the first set.
The game went back and forth in the second half as well. Swiatek finally hit back and equalized the set in the tie-break. In the third set, the world number one lost control. She made many slight mistakes that Switolina used to turn around once more. After 2:51 hours she converted her second match point and was celebrated by the audience. “It’s just incredible. I’m very happy that I got the chance to play here. It was an incredible match and I’m glad I was able to win it,” said the 28-year-old.
The game was not an easy one, according to Switolina. “Iga is not just a friend. She was one of the first to help the Ukrainian people,” the tennis player referred to the war in her home country, adding: “I’m glad that I can help the people of Ukraine a bit might bring joy.” Now she will enjoy the evening: “I will most likely have a beer first.”
Swiatek presented herself as a fair loser. “Elina played really well, congratulations to her”. The 22-year-old is now crossing her fingers for her opponent. “I told her on the net that I hope she wins the tournament. It’s difficult to win a Grand Slam tournament. I know she really wants that, so I will support her.”
Vondrousova, meanwhile, made it through to the quarter-finals for the first time at Wimbledon. The finalist of the 2019 French Open used her second match point following 1:55 hours. “I don’t even know what just happened. I still can’t believe that I turned the game around in the third set,” said the Czech following her strong performance. Pegula missed a 4-1 lead in the third set and missed out on reaching the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.
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