Swiatek knocks out Samsonova to make her first Wimbledon semi-final

Iga Swiatek, the No 8 seed, has reached the last four of Wimbledon for the first time in her career by dispatching Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 in another clinical performance from the Pole.

The eighth seed had never progressed to the semi-finals at SW19, having lost her only other quarter-final appearance to Elina Svitolina two years ago.

But after a difficult year in which she has failed to win a title, Swiatek has been a revelation on the grass courts of London.

For four of the past five years, the Pole has gone all the way at Roland-Garros – a major that has the most contrasting surface to grass and comes only three weeks before its grass-court cousin.

Falling in the semi-finals this year was another bitter blow to round off a barren year for the former world No 1. Yet this earlier exit may well have been just what was needed for Swiatek to have a deep run at this year’s Wimbledon.

She has looked formidable throughout her stay in London so far, and today was another clinical display against a high-quality opponent.

Two breaks of serve without reply saw Swiatek claim the first, before a closer and more competitive second set followed.

The Pole twice went a break up, only to be reeled back in by Samsonova each time. As a tiebreak seemed inevitable, however, Swiatek pounced for a third time at 6-5 to clinch a straight-set victory and move into a maiden Wimbledon semi-final.

“Honestly, it feels great. I have goosebumps after this win. I am super happy and super proud of myself and I will keep going,” Swiatek told the Court One crowd.

“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. It is a pleasure to play in front of you guys so thank you for the support.”

She’ll play either Mirra Andreeva, the No 7 seed, or Swiss Belinda Bencic in the last four

Swiatek, ranked No 4, will play the winner of the match between Russian Mirra Andreeva, the No 7 seed, and Swiss Belinda Bencic next.

Ahead of her victory, the Pole won against Dane Clara Tauson, the No 23 seed (6-4, 6-1), American Danielle Collins (6-2, 6-3), American Catherine McNally (5-7, 6-2, 6-1) and Russian Polina Kudermetova (7-5, 6-1).

Samsonova, ranked No 19, beat Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (7-5, 7-5), Australian Daria Kasatkina, the No 16 seed (6-2, 6-3), Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva (6-2, 6-1) and Australian Maya Joint (6-3, 6-2) in the previous rounds of The Championships.

London (Grand Slam), other quarter-finals results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 53.500.000, most recent results first):

• Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic: wednesday
• Amanda Anisimova (13) beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: 6-1, 7-6 (9)
• Aryna Sabalenka (1) beat Laura Siegemund: 4-6, 6-2, 6-4