© APA/AFP/SEBASTIEN BOZON
The number 1 in the world was eliminated from the women’s category. Elena Switolina beat Iga Swiatek 7:5, 6:7 (5), 6:2.
Novak Djokovic is in the semi-finals of the Wimbledon tennis Grand Slam tournament for the twelfth time. The 36-year-old Serb beat Russia’s Andrei Rublev 4:6,6:1,6:4,6:3 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday and thus celebrated his 33rd win in a row at the classic grass field. Djokovic fell behind for the first time this year at Wimbledon, but in the end it was a clear victory after 2:48 hours. The “Djoker” eventually reached his 46th Grand Slam semi-final, equaling the record set by eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer. It was also the 400th Grand Slam match for the Serb – a milestone only achieved by Federer and Serena Williams. Djokovic did not want to go into detail about these impressive career marks after the game. “Those are just numbers. During the tournament I don’t like to think about statistics. I’d rather focus on the next game.”
Young star Sinner is now waiting for Djokovic
This is the semifinals on Friday. In the 12th semi-final at Wimbledon, Djokovic meets 21-year-old Italian Jannick Sinner. He is in the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time. Sinner beat Russian surprise man Safiullin (number 92 in the world) 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 2, 6: 2. “I know that Novak hasn’t lost on center court for ten years, so it will be a tough game,” said Sinner.
The 21-year-old Italian Jannick Sinner is in the semifinals of Wimbledon for the first time
© Bild: APA/AFP/GLYN KIRK / GLYN KIRK
Switolina only with a wildcard in the main competition
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. Switolina, who is married to French tennis pro Gael Monfils and only in the main draw thanks to a wild card from the organizers, got off to a poor start on Center Court. As in the round of 16 against 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 with her power tennis.
Iga Swiatek is world No. 1 but has to leave Wimbledon early
© Bild: REUTERS / ANDREW COULDRIDGE
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 again. After 2:50 hours she converted her second match point.
Returning to the tour as a mother in April
Switolina, who gave birth to a girl last October and only returned to the tour in April, was celebrated by the audience afterwards. “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 after the match .
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. But now she wants to enjoy the evening: “I will most likely have a beer first.”
Jessica Pegula congratulates Marketa Vondrousova (right) on the win
© Bild: APA/AFP/ADRIAN DENNIS
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 after 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 after 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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2023-07-11 22:15:28
#Tennis #Djokovic #won #400th #Grand #Slam #game #Wimbledon
