Latest news with #LiudmilaSamsonova
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Wimbledon 2025 Preview: Swiatek And Bencic Meet In Maiden Semifinal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts while playing against Liudmila Samsonova in ... More the quarter-final on Day Ten of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2025 in London, England (Photo by) Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek will face Belinda Bencic in the second Wimbledon semifinal, with both players making their maiden appearance in the last four at the grass-court major. A four-time French Open winner and clay-court specialist, Swiatek's previous best result at Wimbledon was a quarterfinal run in 2023, while Tokyo Olympic champion Bencic had only ever reached the last 16 three times. Swiatek, the 2018 junior Wimbledon champion, beat Russia's Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets in the quarterfinals, saying she was proud of how her game on grass has developed. She now holds an 8-1 record on the surface this year — her best in a single season. "This year, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more," Swiatek said after her win. "Match by match, my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on this championship." Swiatek Praises Opponent Bencic LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Iga Swiatek (R) of Poland shakes hands with Belinda Bencic of Switzerland ... More in the Women's Singles fourth round match during day seven of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by) The Pole awaits Swiss mum Bencic in the semifinals, after she edged out teenage Russian and seventh seed Mirra Andreeva in two tiebreak sets. Bencic, the first Swiss woman to reach the Wimbledon semifinals since Martina Hingis in 1998, returned to tennis last October — six months after giving birth to her daughter, Bella. "I can only imagine how hard it is to come back after pregnancy," Swiatek said. "We practiced in the first event this year in the United Cup, but it already seems like she's ready to be back in the rhythm. "For sure she has the game to play well here on grass. Yeah, I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy. She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well." Swiatek and Bencic have faced off four times, with the Pole leading their head-to-head 3-1. Their last meeting was also at Wimbledon — a three-set battle in the fourth round in 2023. Bencic, The Super Mom ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 08: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland holds her daughter ... More after victory against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States in the final during day seven of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Zayed Sports City on February 08, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by) Back in the top 20 after maternity leave and playing just the second Grand Slam semifinal of her career, Bencic said she was proud of her journey. "I didn't say it to myself much before but since having Bella I say it to myself every day," she told the crowd. "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." Swiatek vs Bencic is scheduled to take place on Centre Court after the Sabalenka vs Anisimova semifinal.
Free Malaysia Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Swiatek gets ‘goosebumps' after reaching first Wimbledon semi-final
Former world No 1 Iga Swiatek has gone under the radar at this year's Wimbledon. (AP pic) LONDON : Iga Swiatek said she had 'goosebumps' after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time in her illustrious career with a 6-2, 7-5 win against Russia's Liudmila Samsonova today. The Polish eighth seed will face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva or former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic for a place in Saturday's final. Swiatek has won four titles on the clay at the French Open, as well as the US Open in 2022, but has struggled on the lawns of the All England Club. Her previous best result at Wimbledon was a run to the quarter-finals in 2023. Swiatek dominated the first set against 19th seed Samsonova on Court 1 but was made to battle in the second set before wrapping up victory in one hour and 49 minutes. 'It feels great. Even though I'm in the middle of the tournament I've already got goosebumps after this win. I'm super happy and super proud of myself and I'll keep going,' she said. 'Honestly, I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. 'For sure I feel like I really worked hard to progress here on this surface.' Swiatek broke twice in the opening set to take a firm grip on the match, benefiting from a flurry of unforced errors from her opponent and winning 100% of her points on first serve. Two double faults from the Russian 19th seed handed Swiatek an early break in the second set and she snuffed out a clutch of break points in the following game to go 3-0 up. The 24-year-old was pegged back as her level dipped and Samsonova pulled level at 4-4. But Swiatek regrouped and broke again to seal the win, finishing off her opponent with a fierce forehand winner. The former world No 1 has gone under the radar at this year's Wimbledon as most of the other top women's seeds have tumbled, though world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is still standing. After slipping down the rankings, she is now back in the world's top four having reaching the Bad Homburg final on grass last month. Swiatek, a former Wimbledon junior champion, lost in the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open this year.
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Iga Swiatek holds off Samsonova to reach Wimbledon semi-finals for first time
From the moment she first set foot on the grass this year, there has been something different about Iga Swiatek. Where once trepidation would have been her overriding emotion on what has traditionally been her weakest surface, she has looked calm from day one and on Wednesday she held her nerve to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time, holding off a bold fightback from Liudmila Samsonova to claim a 6-2, 7-5 victory. Leading by a set and 4-2, 40-0, Swiatek was cruising to victory, crunching groundstrokes, moving brilliantly and improvising impressively. However, Samsonova suddenly started going for broke and at 5-5, she had 0-30 on the Pole's serve. But unlike on several occasions this year, Swiatek did not panic, dug deep and claimed her place in the last four, where she will play Belinda Bencic. 'Honestly it feels great,' said the No 8 seed, Swiatek. 'Even though I am in the middle of the tournament I already got goosebumps after this win. I'm super-proud of myself and I'll keep going. I am really enjoying playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. I really worked hard here to progress on this surface.' By anyone else's standards, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open, where she had match point against the eventual champion, Madison Keys, and making the last four at the French Open would be regarded as an excellent season. But the former world No 1 has set such high standards that the only way was down. The five-time grand slam champion lost her way on her beloved clay in the spring, losing early to players she would usually brush away with ease, unravelling on court when things started to turn. But reaching the semis in Paris restored a lot of her confidence and she arrived at Wimbledon in a relaxed, confident mood, having reached her first grass-court final at Bad Homburg in Germany. Perhaps benefitting from the drier than usual conditions here, she has dropped just one set on her way to the semis. 'I had time to practise a little bit more,' she said. 'Match by match my confidence went up so that I can use it in this championship. I saw how I can play on practice courts. I was just not sure if I can do it on the match court. I kind of already did. I'm going to try to continue that.' In her first grand slam quarter-final, the 19th seed, Samsonova, had a break point in the first game, but it was snuffed out with an ace. Swiatek held and then set about dominating the rest of the set, breaking for 4-2 and then again for 6-2, her serve effective and her groundstrokes punishing. The match looked over when Swiatek led 4-2, 40-0 but Samsonova cut loose, slapping ground strokes for winners, forcing the issue from the baseline. After breaking back, she levelled at 4-4 and then, at 5-5, she had 0-30 on the Pole's serve. But Swiatek found her forehand again when she needed it, whipping another return winner to seal victory. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Swiatek has won three of her four meetings with Bencic but said she was full of admiration for the Swiss, who is into the semi-finals here for the first time also, less than 15 months after giving birth to her first child. 'I can only imagine how hard it is to come back after pregnancy,' Swiatek said. 'Obviously, she needed some time to play some matches and schedule it carefully after such a break. For sure she has the game to play well here on grass. I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy. She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.'
