Harry Styles will have to wait! Ukranian star Elina Svitolina sends World No 1 Iga Swiatek crashing out of Wimbledon to reach the semi finals… as 28-year-old’s dream run at SW19 continues after being contacted by the pop prince
Elina Svitolina flew the flag for Ukraine in spectacular fashion as she shocked world number one Iga Swiatek to make the last four at Wimbledon.
The world number 76, facing an opponent who wears a supportive blue and yellow ribbon, came through 7-5 6-7 6-2 in two hours and 51 minutes, and will now face American number one Jessica Pegula.
The Centre Court stood as she served out the match after some pulsating baseline exchanges that saw her the more consistent. Coming in on a wildcard after giving birth nine months ago, it is a remarkable outcome.
‘I don’t know what is happening right now, its unbelievable, I’m really happy I got this chance. It was an unbelievable feeling, I was fighting, she is world number one and always fighting,’ said Svitolina.
‘Iga is not only a great champion she is a great person, she has really helped Ukrainian people.
Elina Svitolina advanced to her third Grand Slam semi-final and her second at Wimbledon
Iga Swiatek (pictured) crashed out of Wimbledon after a 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 defeat to Elina Svitolina
‘It’s not easy to play someone with whom you share a lot of good moments. Thank you for cheering for me,’ she told the crowd.
‘If at the beginning of the tournament if someone told me I was beating the world number one I would tell them they are crazy.’
A see-sawing contest had Svitolina start hesitantly before a policy of trying to rush the Swiatek forehand began to pay dividends. As the first set wore on the Pole began to miss badly on that side, and her serve came out in sympathy, also misfiring as the Ukrainian nicked the opener at the end.
Svitolina was also behind in the second, but again clawed her way back into it with Swiatek distrustful of some bounces. The Pole was teeing off on some second serves, but Svitolina was making fewer errors in the rallies and moved to 6-5 with a stunning backhand pass.
Swiatek comfortably made it to the tiebreak but fell 4-1 behind after yet another forehand error that was added to by an ace from Svitolina. The favourite then rediscovered her range on the forehand and took into a decider from 4-5 down with a succession of penetrating groundstrokes.
Svitolina could easily have been deflated by coming within touching distance of the semi-finals, but quickly swallowed her disappointment to surge ahead, again aided by copious unforced errors from the other end. Two consecutive aces saw her hold for 5-1 and from there she cruised home.
Despite losing the first set, Swiatek looked to have all the momentum after holding her nerve in a tense second set tiebreak.
Svitolina served out out the set to claim a famous victory over the world number one
But Svitolina, who entered the tournament ranked 76th in the world, stunned the top seed with her accuracy from serve and consistency from the baseline, breaking her serve twice in the third and final set.
Before confidently serving out the final game to love.
The near three hour battle ended Swiatek’s hopes of securing a famous Roland Garros and Wimbledon double, while Svitolina heads into a clash with Marketa Vondrousova in the last four.
It ensures a remarkable fortnight continues for the 28-year-old mum, who was handed a wildcard entry this year after returning from maternity leave.
She jokingly revealed that her run had cost her her tickets to go and see Harry Styles performing in Vienna, only for the pop star to reach and offer her tickets to another date.
After being reminded of her postponed date with the former One Direction member, Svitolina was asked how she plans to prepare for her semi-final.
‘First of all, I’m gonna have a beer probably,’ she joked.
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