Tennis
Swiatek Saves Match Points, Svitolina Triumphs in Stormy Wimbledon Battles
Iga Swiatek displayed her resilience by saving two match points against Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, securing a hard-fought victory of 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 on Centre Court.
Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina overcame a set-and-break deficit to defeat Victoria Azarenka in a politically-charged duel, triumphing with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9).
Novak Djokovic’s match against Hubert Hurkacz was interrupted due to a night-time curfew, with Djokovic leading 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (8/6) in their last 16 clash.
The match will resume on Monday to determine the winner, who will face Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.
Iga Swiatek, the reigning US Open and French Open champion, showcased her fearless play as she fought back from the brink of defeat. Swiatek described her mindset during the match, explaining that playing without fear allowed her to make bold shots and secure the victory.
Elina Svitolina’s refusal to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka in protest against the Belarus government’s support of Russia in the Ukraine conflict sparked controversy. Despite facing opposition from the crowd, Svitolina considered her triumph over Azarenka as one of her greatest moments.
Mirra Andreeva, the 16-year-old Russian, continued her impressive run by reaching the fourth round after defeating Anastasia Potapova. Andreeva’s success at Wimbledon follows her strong performance at the French Open, and she will see a significant rise in the rankings after her debut on the grass-court main tour.
Andrey Rublev showcased his composure in a thrilling match against Alexander Bublik, prevailing with a 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 victory. Rublev’s win completed the full set of quarter-finals at the major tournaments.
Roman Safiullin, ranked 92nd in the world, celebrated his first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance by defeating Denis Shapovalov. Safiullin’s unexpected success will not prompt a change in accommodations, as he expressed contentment with his current hotel.
Jannik Sinner, the Italian eighth seed, secured his place in the quarter-finals after defeating Daniel Elahi Galan. Sinner faced a tough battle, with Galan saving the majority of break points he faced.
In other matches, Jessica Pegula overpowered Lesia Tsurenko, and Marketa Vondrousova advanced by defeating Marie Bouzkova in an all-Czech clash.
As the competition intensifies, Wimbledon continues to captivate fans with thrilling matches and remarkable performances on the prestigious grass courts.