Centre Court saw a display of exceptional grass-court tennis as Iga Świątek advanced to her first Wimbledon final, overwhelming Belinda Bencic with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 win. The victory marks Świątek’s sixth major final, with her previous five ending in triumphs. Next, she will face Amanda Anisimova, who earlier defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
"I performed well and managed to pressure Belinda early," said Świątek. "I stayed focused throughout and felt in control. It was a very consistent match."
For Świątek, 2025 has presented challenges. She held a match point in the Australian Open semi-finals before losing to Madison Keys. Later, she failed to retain her Madrid and Italian Open titles and suffered a high-profile loss to Sabalenka in the French Open semi-finals, ending her 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros.
However, her time spent training on grass in Mallorca, refining her serve, returns, and movement on a less familiar surface, has clearly proven effective.
Since Paris, Świątek has earned nine wins on grass, her highest in a single season, demonstrating improved confidence on the surface.
"Each major final has been unique," said Świątek. "It's difficult to compare them. Right now, I’m enjoying feeling more comfortable on grass. There’s no room for hesitation—you must trust your instincts. When that works, it makes things easier and more enjoyable, unlike other surfaces where rallies develop slower."
On the other side, Bencic’s return after maternity leave has been impressive. Starting the year ranked No. 489, she displayed composure and logged the most playing time of any woman at Wimbledon. However, fatigue seemed evident early against Świątek.
Świątek, serving first, began strongly, taking a 40-0 lead before Bencic responded with a forehand winner. The Pole then closed the game with her own forehand, followed by an early break as she controlled the baseline, causing Bencic to slip while chasing a shot. Świątek surged to a 3-0 lead with a powerful ace.
A brief nine-minute pause due to a heat-related spectator incident allowed Bencic a breather, and she finally scored after a lengthy return. But Świątek’s pressure led to another break. A precise forehand winner off Bencic’s drop shot secured the set after Bencic’s backhand found the net.
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