Wimbledon 2023: Iga Swiatek survives huge scare to beat Belinda Bencic in thriller and advance to quarter-finals

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek survived an almighty scare to beat Belinda Bencic 6-7 7-6(2) 6-3 in a thriller and advance to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. One set down and forced to defend two match points, Swiatek displayed the characteristics of a true champion to emerge victorious and seal her place in the last-eight, representing the Polish star’s best ever performance at SW19.

Ad Swiatek started fast on Centre Court, holding in the first game before bringing up 0-40 on a shell-shocked Bencic in the very next. WimbledonWimbledon 2023: Day 7 Order of Play and schedule – When are Djokovic, Swiatek and Pegula playing?A DAY AGO However, somehow the Swiss emerged unscathed, saving those three break points with a mixture of calm and no little skill. Swiatek had one further chance to break but spurned that too, and then at 5-4 ahead, forged two more break — and set — points, but again was unable to convert.

That triggered some frustration for the Pole, gesturing to her box as she tried to unpick the stubborn lock that was the Bencic serve. The pair couldn't be separated and the set moved to a tie-break, whereupon Bencic stunned those inside Centre Court by racing into a 6-1 lead, and five set points. Mirra Andreeva the youngest player to make fourth round since Coco Gauff 'It will hurt for a very long time' — Frances Tiafoe smals defeat to Grigot Dimitrov as 'depressing' Two of them went begging thanks to some good Swiatek serving… and then another as the world No.

1 threatened a remarkable turnaround. But Bencic snuffed that out as a return went long from Swiatek, and it was a one-set lead to the Swiss with a massive upset brewing. Off went Swiatek to the locker room — with notebook in hand — as she tried to concoct a way back