Iga Swiatek has demonstrated remarkable poise throughout this year’s Wimbledon, showcasing a transformation in her approach to grass, a surface that has historically challenged her. In a thrilling quarter-final match, Swiatek defeated Liudmila Samsonova with a score of 6-2, 7-5, marking her first-ever semi-final appearance at the prestigious tournament.
Initially, Swiatek appeared to be sailing to an easy victory, leading 4-2, 40-0 in the second set. Her game was fluid, showcasing powerful groundstrokes and exceptional movement. However, Samsonova fought back fiercely. At one point, she even had Swiatek under pressure at 5-5, with a chance to break her serve. Despite that, Swiatek maintained composure, ultimately sealing the match with a display of her potent forehand.
Reflecting on her achievement, Swiatek expressed excitement and pride, highlighting her commitment to improving on the grass this season. “Honestly it feels great,” she said. “I am really enjoying playing this year and hopefully it’s going to last as long as possible.” Her journey to the semi-finals is underpinned by an uptick in confidence following a challenging clay season earlier in the year.
Swiatek’s confidence was further bolstered by her recent experiences, including reaching the semi-finals at the French Open and competing in her first grass-court final at Bad Homburg. She acknowledged the importance of being able to practice more and allowing her confidence to build as the tournament progressed.
In the semi-finals, Swiatek will face Belinda Bencic, with whom she has a favorable 3-1 record in their previous meetings. Bencic herself is making waves after a significant personal milestone, returning to competitive tennis just over a year after giving birth. Swiatek applauded Bencic’s accomplishments and resilience, acknowledging the challenges of returning to the sport after pregnancy.
This match and the upcoming semi-final represent not just milestones for Swiatek, but also an inspiring journey of perseverance as she continues to evolve her game on grass, a testament to her hard work and determination.