Elina Svitolina returned to the Wimbledon semifinals, four years after her career-best Major achievements, but had to do it the hard way against world no. 1 Iga Swiatek – eventually ousting her in three sets. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic was down a set before clicking into gear and holding his nerve when it mattered most against Andrey Rublev, as Jannik Sinner awaits him on Friday.
Djokovic slides his way to victory
- Novak Djokovic into record-equalling 46th Major semifinal, insists afterwards during on-court interview that he loves being the man to beat at a tournament he has won seven times, including each of the last four: “I love it. Any player wants to be in the position where all the others want to beat you, the pressure never goes away every time I come on court.”
- 36-year-old Serbian will next play Jannik Sinner, who memorably led two sets to love against him in last year’s quarterfinal before a rousing turnaround twelve months ago – after the Italian’s four-set win (6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2) against Russia’s Roman Safiullin saw him break new ground
- Christopher Eubanks vs. Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz vs. Holger Rune today will decide the other semifinalists, to be played on Friday
Djokovic [2] bt. Rublev [7] 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3
Just like in the second act of his battle with Hubert Hurkacz, Novak Djokovic dropped a set. Perhaps, he’s human after all. This is a 36-year-old who dines on marginal gains – a backhand down-the-line here, an apt serve-and-volley point there.
When he’s not playing his best, it can be jarring watching him struggle to consistently make first serves (50% in set one), or shank routine forehands into the net.
Rublev is getting closer to the top table, this quarterfinal display another sign of progress he’s quietly made so far this season, yet there wasn’t really a plan B when Djokovic outlasted him in their longer rally exchanges.
He wouldn’t dare drop shot or charge to the net with regularity, and whenever they engaged in slices, the 25-year-old was always first to revert back to type.
Djokovic’s court coverage is otherworldly, and you could see him ramp into rhythm during an ominous set two: losing just six points in the first five games.
A 6-4 third set doesn’t tell the full story as Rublev made it considerably tougher than it could’ve been for the four-time defending champion, but any hope evaporated after he failed to take any of three break point chances in the match’s longest game.
He didn’t stop trying in the fourth, but Djokovic was clinical when needed and faces a familiar face on Friday after another test more difficult than most expected on paper.
Sinner [8] bt. Safiullin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
This four-set result means Jannik Sinner is a first-time Major semifinalist, and the Italian has finally broken through at Grand Slam level a month before his 22nd birthday and quickly dismissed a forgettable French Open showing in the process.
One ace shy of his tournament-high 15, he dropped just five first serve points (43/48) in little over two hours alongside a +16 differential between winners and unforced errors (36-20), against a first-time Major quarterfinalist who struggled in that vein.
- “I’m much stronger, I can stay on court for many hours without suffering. Also mentally, you’re going in a slightly different mental side on court knowing you’re also a top 10 player – it’s a little bit different, I feel better tennis-wise too, can play now without thinking,” Sinner on how things have changed before another Djokovic meeting
Vondrousova leaves Pegula feeling blue
Vondrousova bt. Pegula [4] 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare wrote a piece earlier this week about the fall and rise of US tennis, and how they’re in need of a Grand Slam winner now – across both tours – to truly prove their development at the highest level.
Jessica Pegula is now a six-time quarterfinalist, but 0-6 at this stage across all four Majors and won’t want to rewatch a rough ending to her latest defeat by Czech’s Marketa Vondrousova, whose defensive resistance was key in an unlikely comeback.
This was a topsy-turvy contest with momentum shifts aplenty, going one way then the next. Just when you thought you knew what was next, another twist in the tale.
Pegula led 3-1 in the decider before play paused so they could close the roof on No. 1 Court, with rain expected. 3-1 turned to 4-1, before Vondrousova had to save a break point on serve, keeping the deficit relatively close.
Without warning she broke in consecutive games, and Pegula had no answers.
Svitolina [WC] bt. Swiatek [1] 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2
Given the stakes involved and what she’s playing for, 2019 Wimbledon semifinalist Elina Svitolina couldn’t mask her early nerves. Now though, she’s into another one.
She double-faulted in the very first game as Swiatek broke and things appeared to be following a pattern with timely-executed graphics like these making an appearance after the world no. 1 swatted an unreturnable forehand.
Yet the 28-year-old fought, game-after-game, frequently putting Swiatek under pressure on serve, and found her rewards.
Even after relinquishing a 4-1 tiebreak lead in set two, the Ukrainian’s shot-making was at such a high level that she quickly put the frustration in her rearview mirror.
Swiatek would’ve gladly seized the momentum otherwise, as she so often does. Not yet on grass, the predictable retort, but the Pole looked more self-assured even when things weren’t working (41 unforced errors) or her forehand failed her.
Svitolina played clean (25 winners and unforced errors), bided her time during their baseline exchanges and used variety to keep Swiatek guessing as the crowd got behind her, aware an upset wasn’t just in the offing, it felt inevitable.
Picture source: Getty Images
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