Iga Swiatek produced a stunning performance to earn a 6-2, 7-5 win over Liudmila Samsonova to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2025 Wimbledon Open on Wednesday.
The Polish star booked her place in the last four of the tournament for the first time in her career despite winning four titles on the clay at the French Open, as well as the US Open in 2022.
Swiatek broke twice in the opening set to take a firm grip on the match, taking advantage of a series of unforced errors from her opponent, and winning 100 percent of her points on first serve.
Two double faults from Samsonova handed Swiatek an early break in the second set before wrapping up victory in one hour and 49 minutes.
Swiatek was excited to qualify for her first-ever Wimbledon semi-finals.
She said: “It feels great. Even though I’m in the middle of the tournament I’ve already got goosebumps after this win. I’m super happy and super proud of myself and I’ll keep going.
“Honestly, I’ve really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it’s going to last as long as possible.
“For sure I feel like I really worked hard to progress here on this surface.”
Swiatek lost in the semifinals of both the Australian Open, and the French Open this year.
She will take on Belinda Bencic in the last four on Thursday.
Similarly, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic recorded a 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2) win over Russia’s Mirra Andreeva to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
She is the first Swiss woman semifinalist at Wimbledon since Martina Hingis 27 years ago, having failed to make it past the last 16 in her previous eight visits to southwest London.
Bencic described the feat as a dream come true while looking forward to the clash against Swiatek.
She said: “It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. I tried not to think about it at the match point. I’m just speechless.
“I studied all evening yesterday to come up with a plan. I think it worked out well. With two tie-breaks it is not easy, it’s just a small edge.
“I’m very proud. I didn’t say it to myself much before but since having Bella I say it to myself every day. It’s not only me, I wouldn’t be able to do it without my amazing family and team.
“We worked so hard on the comeback. We are enjoying life on tour and to play great is a bonus.
“I’m generally just really happy to be able to play again, because my body allows it.”
Swiatek has won 22 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including five major titles, four at the French Open, and one at the US Open.
She also won the 2023 WTA Finals, and ten WTA 1000 titles. She is the first Pole to win a major singles title.
