Swiatek continues hunt for maiden grasscourt title in Svitolina clash

LONDON, July 11 (BNA): Iga Swiatek’s newfound love for the turf will face a stern test when she meets Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon on Tuesday as the world number one continues her bid to conquer the final frontier and win. The first address on the roof.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek has gone from strength to strength at Wimbledon this year, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time despite her preparations for the tournament being less than ideal, Reuters reports.

A Pole, who won her third French Open title last month, developed a fever and possible food poisoning before the start of Wimbledon and was forced to withdraw from the semi-finals of the Bad Homburg Open.

But she bounced back in time on the grass court Grand Slam, winning her first three matches in straight sets before saving two match points for a 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 victory over Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in the fourth round.

“It gives me faith,” top seed and former Wimbledon junior champion Swiatek told reporters on Sunday. “I definitely don’t know more experience because Belinda is a really great player.”

“It was definitely not an easy game today. I’m glad I won it because I feel like I’m going in the right direction.”

In Svitolina, Swiatek faces a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, who also pulled off a hard-fought victory on Sunday, defeating Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9).

“I think she’s the kind of player who has patience,” Swiatek said of 28-year-old Ukrainian wild card Svitolina.

“She has enough experience to have all the skills to play defense and offense. She won many big tournaments, like the WTA Finals… She’s a really strong player. So I have to be ready for everything.”

American Jessica Pegula will face Czech fourth seed Marketa Vondrousova, and the two players will play the first match in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon.

ZH