Iga Świątek qualified for her first-ever semi-final at Wimbledon. The Pole battled fiercely to defeat the talented Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-2; 7-5 in one hour and 50 minutes. 

Świątek broke her opponent’s serve early on in the match at 3-2 and cruised to seal the first set (6-2) playing the aggressive kind of tennis that has been terrorising her rivals on the WTA tour for the past four years. 

The Varsovian broke Samsonova from the very start of the second set and was unplayable until 3-0. Then, things got complicated and the Russian struck back (3-2). But the Pole kept her composure and broke again (4-2). Then Świątek crumbled. With her back against the wall, Samsonova somehow prevented her from taking a 5-2, despite a seemingly comfortable 0-40 lead in that crucial game, and fought back against all odds (4-4). Shortly after, Iga managed to put extra pressure on Samsonova and sealed victory (7-5).

It is the first time that Świątek reaches the final four at the All England Club, marking a major moment in her already remarkable career. As a reminder, the Polish champion won 5 grand slams before turning 23 and reigned on the WTA tour for several years. She is also the 7th player with the most weeks as world number 1 with 125. 

Last season, she lost her number 1 spot to her great Belorussian rival Aryna Sabalenka, who she could face on Saturday in the final. Nevertheless, Iga has performed at an impressive level in the 2025 edition of Wimbledon, losing only one set on her way to the semis.

On Thursday afternoon, the former world number 1 will face either the Russian Mirra Andreeva or the Swiss Belinda Bencic. 

Author: British Poles

Image: X @JJlovesTennis