Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina set up a quarter-final meeting with each other at Wimbledon on Sunday. Coincidentally, both came through tough fourth-round matches that went the distance. In fact, in her match against Belinda Bencic, Swiatek had to save a couple of match points before posting a 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-3 win.
In the first set, the 14th-seeded Bencic was the one whose serve came under pressure constantly. The Swiss had to save break points in the second, fourth and 10th games of the set. However, in the tie-break, she was the one who raced away with the momentum as she clinched the tie-break 7-4 to take the set and the lead.
In the second set, Bencic’s serve did crack and Swiatek broke to start the set. But the top seed’s serve wobbled in the sixth game and she handed the break back. The proceedings remained on serve for the next couple of games thereafter but in the 12th game, while trying to push the set into the tie-break, Swiatek’s serve came under pressure once again. She went down 15-40 and stared at defeat. Two winners off her forehand and backhand wing helped her save both match points. Then, as if she were rejuvenated by her efforts, Swiatek picked up the pace of the match and ensured that its end was in her favour.
She dropped only two points in the second set tie-break and in the deciding set, broke Bencic in the fourth game and held on long enough to serve out the set in the ninth game.
Wimbledon: Iga Swiatek outmatches Belinda Bencic
Only three winners separated Swiatek and Bencic. The victor had 33 winners to the latter’s 30. But Bencic had 33 unforced errors to her opponent’s 24 that eventually cost her the match alongside Swiatek’s grit also proving to be a factor.
Meanwhile, in her fourth-round match against 19th seed Victoria Azarenka, Svitolina needed two hours and 46 minutes to post a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(11-9) comeback victory. The Ukrainian’s comeback also included fighting from 4-7 down in the final set tie-break to pip her seeded opponent.
This Wimbledon quarter-final’s momentous for both Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina. This is the first time in her career the 22-year-old’s made it this far at the Championships. Svitolina, who received a wildcard for this edition, will be playing the quarter-finals for the only second time. The last time she went this far, she also made it to the semi-finals, in 2019.
Photo Credit: Iga Swiatek Twitter
