From the start of her campaign this year, Iga Świątek has shown a newfound composure. Where uncertainty might have once been her dominant emotion on what has historically been her least favored surface, she has appeared assured from the beginning. On Wednesday, she maintained her focus to secure a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time, overcoming a determined fightback from Liudmila Samsonova to win 6-2, 7-5.
Leading by a set and 4-2, 40-0, Świątek seemed in control, striking powerful groundstrokes and moving fluidly around the court. However, Samsonova seized the momentum, pushing the match to 5-5 while putting Świątek under pressure. Yet, unlike in previous matches this season, the Pole remained composed, fought through the challenge, and secured her semifinal berth, where she will face Belinda Bencic.
"It feels amazing," Świątek, the eighth seed, said. "Even mid-tournament, this win gave me goosebumps. I’m really proud of myself and determined to keep going. I’ve been enjoying my tennis this year, and I hope to continue as long as possible. I’ve put in a lot of effort to improve on this surface."
By most standards, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open—where she held a match point against eventual champion Madison Keys—and advancing to the French Open’s final four would constitute a strong season. However, the former world No. 1 has set expectations so high that even these achievements felt like a step back. After a shaky period on clay, including surprising early losses, she rebuilt momentum in Paris and arrived at Wimbledon with renewed belief, buoyed by a runner-up finish in Bad Homburg.
Adapting well to the drier-than-usual conditions, Świątek has lost just one set en route to the semifinals.
"I had more time to prepare," she said. "With each match, my confidence grew, and I’ve been able to bring that into this event. I knew what I could do in practice—I just needed to trust it in matches. Now that I have, I aim to keep it going."
Facing her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, the 19th-seeded Samsonova initially threatened, earning a break point in the opening game. But Świątek dismissed it with an ace, then controlled the set, breaking twice for a 6-2 lead. Although Samsonova stormed back from 4-2, 40-0 to level at 5-5, Świątek held firm under pressure, securing victory with precise forehands.
Świątek leads 3-1 in her previous meetings with Bencic.
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