Svitolina into Wimbledon semis as Djokovic targets new landmark

LONDON: New mum Elina Svitolina shocked world number one Iga Swiatek to reach the last four at Wimbledon on Tuesday, striking an emotional blow for Ukraine, as Novak Djokovic targeted a record-equalling 46th major semifinal. World number 76 Svitolina, who gave birth last October and only returned to the tour in April, came through 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 despite being a break down in both of the first two sets against the reigning US Open and French Open champion. Svitolina, also a semifinalist in 2019, will take on Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic for a place in Saturday’s championship match.

Unseeded Vondrousova made the semifinals by seeing off fourth-ranked Jessica Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Svitolina, playing on a wild card, has reached the last four by seeing off a quartet of Grand Slam title winners in Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, in a stormy last-16 clash, and now Swiatek. She said she intended to “enjoy the moment and have a beer.” “If you had told me before the tournament I would get to the semifinals, I’d say you were crazy,” said Svitolina, who also made the last eight at the French Open last month.

She could have had the match wrapped up in straight sets when she led 4/1 in the second-set tiebreaker before Swiatek hit back. However, the 28-year-old Ukrainian composed herself, racing away to a double break in the decider. “I told Elina at the net that I am rooting for her.

I want to see her win the title,” said Swiatek, who was playing in her first quarter-final at the All England Club. Svitolina’s win kept alive the prospect of a politically charged final between her and Belarusian world number two Aryna Sabalenka. Belarus is a key ally of Russia in the war in Ukraine.