LONDON: Belinda Bencic has become the second Swiss woman in history to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon after ousting seventh seed Mirra Andreeva in a tightly contested two-set battle.
The 28-year-old held her nerve to prevail 7-6(3), 7-6(2) after more than two hours of play on Centre Court. Bencic, who is unseeded in the draw, withstood Andreeva’s 35 winners and won 73% of her first service points.
It is a fairytale run for Bencic, who this time last year wasn’t playing on the Tour after giving birth in April. She began her comeback last October by playing on the lower-level ITF Tour and was ranked outside the top 400 at the start of this season.
“Mirra was really tough, I have a lot of respect for her,” said Bencic.
“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. With two tie-breaks it is not easy, it’s just a small edge.
“When the match is so tight, you are not thinking and your body is functioning and your instincts kick in so I’m really happy I won today.”
Both sets were a case of fine margins. Throughout the opener, there were no breaks of serve with Andreeva fending off a duo of break points at 5-5. Heading into the tiebreak, the Swiss player capitalised on an Andreeva backhand error, which gave her a mini break for 4-2. Bencic then sealed the first set at the expense of another mistake from her rival, this time from her forehand side.
In the second frame, the first break of the match took place at a critical time. Tied at 4-4, back-to-back Andreeva backhand errors handed Bencic her first break of the match and the chance to serve for victory. However, there would be a twist to the encounter as the 18-year-old fought back to draw level.
Bencic eventually sealed victory in the second tiebreaker following a series of Andreeva mistakes that elevated her to a 4-1 lead. A couple of points later, a double fault from the Russian handed her a series of match points. She converted her first with a smash at the net.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bencic said of reaching the semi-finals.
“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.”
As a result of her run, Bencic will return to the world’s top 20 next week.
“I didn’t say it to myself much before but since having Bella [her daughter] 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.” She commented.
Swaitek Sinks Samsonova
Awaiting Bencic in the next round will be Iga Swiatek, who is through to her first Wimbledon semi-final at the age of 24. The former world No.1 defeated 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5. A player who hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament coming into the match. Swiatek joins Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka and Karolina Pliskova as the only active players to have reached the last four of every Grand Slam event at least once.
“Honestly, it feels great. I have goosebumps after this win,” said five-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek.
“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.”
Swiatek, who has only lost one set against Samsonova in their four previous meetings, was tested early on before pulling away in the opening set with the help of a series of mistakes coming from across the net. She first drew blood in the sixth game after a Samsonova backhand crashed into the net to grant her a break for 4-2. Two games later, the eighth seed clinched the first set, which ended with three more unforced errors from the Russian world No.19.
However, Swiatek came undone during the second set after losing a 3-0, 15-0, lead. Hitting more tentatively being her serve, she ended up getting broken two times in a row to let her rival back into the match. Proceedings looked to be heading into a tiebreak until the Pole worked her way to 40-15 during a Samsonova service game at 6-5, rewarding her a duo of match points. She converted her second with a clear forehand return winner.
“It’s a different rhythm to what we usually have on Grand Slams,” she said of preparing for her next match, which will be in 24 hours.
“I have only played twice like that. I will recover today, try not to celebrate too much but already focus on the next one, prepare in the evening and I will be ready tomorrow.”
The head-to-head
Thursday’s semi-final will be the second time Bencic and Swiatek have locked horns at Wimbledon. Their first encounter was in the last 16 in 2023 when Swiatek battled her way to a 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-3 victory. The Pole has also won two of their three other meetings which were all on harcourt. Bencic’s sole victory occurred at the 2021 US Open.
