Swiatek Wins Thriller Over Bencic, Svitolina Edges Azarenka At Wimbledon; Rybakina, Kvitova Mon.
It was a wild Sunday at Wimbledon in the women’s draw. Top seed Iga Swiatek survived two second set match points to beat former gold medalist Belinda Bencic 6-7(4-7), 7-6(7-2), 6-3.
In a tight first set, Swiatek was the better player but failed to convert on six different break point chances.
Swiatek finally broke through to start the second but her lead didn’t last long. Bencic would level and then held match points with Swiatek serving 4-5, 15-40. Swiatek rose to the challenge thanks to her backhand, connecting on a line to stay in the tournament.
The world No. 1 would take the breaker and grab another break early in the third to take the three hour win.
“It wasn’t easy, obviously,” said Swiatek. “I don’t even know if that ever happened in my career that I came back from being match point down.
“But I’m really happy, you know, because I feel like I needed that win to kind of believe in myself a little bit more on this surface … I’m happy that I was just looking forward and kind of playing without regrets.”
Swiatek, who has won her last 14 matches, reaches her first quarterfinal. She’ll now face comeback girl Elina Svitolina.
While Swiatek had her drama on Centre, Svitolina was in a dogfight with fellow mom Victoria Azarenka, but prevailed 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(11-9).
Svitolina rallied from a set down to win a tight second set. The Ukrainian lost a 3-0 lead in the third but would make her own comeback from down 7-4 down in the break and win it on her eighth ace.
It was Svitolina’s first win over Azarenka in six tries. She also reaches her second straight Grand Slam quarterfinal.
“I think after giving birth to our daughter, this is the second happiest moment in my life,” Svitolina said after.
“I didn’t play my best and was really struggling. When I was 0-2 down in the second set, I heard you guys cheering for me and I almost wanted to cry.
“Point by point I tried to find the way to win. I don’t know how I held my nerve at the end. I was thinking back home there are lots of people cheering for me. I know how much it means to them, any moments of happiness they can share. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
The other quarterfinal will see Jessica Pegula battling
Pegula cruised past Lesia Tsurenko 6-1, 6-3 to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal. She’ll now meet Czech lefty Marketa Vondrousova who ousted countrywoman Marie Bouzkova 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
In a final third round match, 16-year-old qualifier Mirra Andreeva skept rolling taking out No. 22 Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 7-5.
Andreeva will now face Madison Keys who has won her last eight matches.
Tomorrow also sees No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka challenging No. 21 Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Defending champion No. 3 Elena Rybakina clashes with French Open semifinalist Beatriz Haddad Maia. The Brazilian is 2-0 against Rybakina this year.
No. 6 Ons Jabeur also meets 2-time champion No. 9 Petra Kvitova.
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