Former world No 1 Iga Swiatek is treading new ground on the grass at Wimbledon after reaching the semi-finals for the first time in her career.
The five-time Grand Slam champion had never been beyond the last eight at the All England Club but disposed of Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets on Wednesday.
Swiatek, whose previous best effort at the London major had been reaching the quarter-finals in 2023, sailed through the first set but was given a tougher test in the second before eventually prevailing 6-2, 7-5 on Court 1.
The 24-year-old Pole will take on Belinda Bencic on Thursday for a place in Saturday's final after the Swiss edged out Mirra Andreeva, also in straight sets.
After slipping down the rankings, Swiatek is now back in the world's top four having reached the Bad Homburg final on grass last month, although is seeded eighth here.
“Honestly, it feels great,” said Switaek, who lost in the last four at both the Australian and French Opens this year. “I have goosebumps after this win. I am super happy and super proud of myself and I will keep going.
“I really enjoy playing [on grass] this year and hopefully it is going to last as long as possible. I worked hard to progress here on this surface.”
Samsonova struggled early on despite the fact she was enjoying her best ever Grand Slam run as the weight of appearing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final appeared too much to bear at times.
The 26-year-old 19th seed conceded 18 unforced errors on the way to losing the opener and was then broken immediately at the start of the second set after conceding two consecutive double faults.
Swiatek was coasting at 3-0 and then 4-2 only for Samsonova to finally find some game and level the scores. But the former Wimbledon junior champion was not to be denied as she broke for a final time to seal victory after one hour and 49 minutes.
She becomes the fourth active player to reach the semi-finals at all four Grand Slam events, joining Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka and Karolina Pliskova.
Meanwhile, Russian teen star Andreeva saw her Wimbledon hopes dashed by the more experienced Bencic over two tight sets that were both decided by tiebreaks.
Under the wing of former Wimbledon winner Conchita Martinez, Andreeva had breezed impressively through the first four rounds without dropping a set. But Bencic proved ready for the challenge, taking the opener in a tense tiebreak.
The second set was equally hard-fought, with breakpoints saved by both players before Bencic broke in the ninth game.
Bencic had asked for the trainer to come on court at the end of the game to deal with a cracked toe nail, but changed her mind with a memorable victory within touching distance.
Whether it was the foot issue or the pressure of serving for the match, Bencic got within two points of winning but was unable to finish the job as Andreeva broke back.
That set up another tiebreak, with Bencic visibly hobbling between points but somehow summoning up the willpower to seal the win with a booming forehand.
World No 34 Bencic reaches the last four at SW19 for the first time and becomes the first Swiss to achieve the feat since Martina Hingis 27 years ago.
“It's crazy, it's unbelievable,” said the 28-year-old. “It's a dream come true. I tried not to think about it at the match point. I'm just speechless. It is my second Grand Slam semi-final overall and my first at Wimbledon. Just speechless, so happy.
“Mirra Andreeva was really tough, I have a lot of respect for her. She is 18 and performing on the biggest stages, already winning so many amazing tournaments. I studied all evening yesterday to come up with a plan. I think it worked out well.”
In Thursday's other semi-final, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on 13th seed Amanda Anisimova.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Copa del Rey final
Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 11.30pm (UAE), match on Bein Sports
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
bundesliga results
Mainz 0 Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 1')
Schalke 1 (Caligiuri pen 51') Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Miranda og 81')
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
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