Stronger than ever Svitolina relishing Vondrousova test at Wimbledon

LONDON : Ukrainian wild card Elina Svitolina, having dismissed four Grand Slam champions during her fairytale run to the Wimbledon semi-finals following her maternity break, may believe the stars are finally aligning in her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title.

The 28-year-old can reach a first major final by beating the resurgent Czech Marketa Vondrousova on Thursday and the former world number three said a fresh approach to her career after the war in Ukraine and becoming a mother in October had helped.

"I say to myself I think it's less years that I have in front than behind me," said Svitolina, who downed major winners Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka before toppling another in world number one Iga Swiatek.

"I have to go for it. I don't have time to lose anymore. I don't know how many years I will be playing more... You practice for these big moments.

Svitolina, who returned to the tour in April after giving birth to daughter Skai last October, said Russia's invasion of her country, which Moscow calls a 'special military operation', had changed her.

"War made me stronger and also mentally stronger. I don't take difficult situations as like a disaster. There are worse things in life. I'm more calm," she added.

"I think also, because I just started to play again, I have different pressures. I want to win. I have this huge motivation to come back to the top. But I think having a child, and war, made me a different person."

Vondrousova has endured ordinary outings at the Grand Slams following her run to the 2019 French Open title clash, where she was beaten by Ash Barty, with the Olympic silver medallist's career derailed due to wrist injuries.

But "no rain no flowers" says a tattoo on her heavily inked arm and