Only the third wildcard in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, Svitolina twice recovered from a break down and won two straight games from 5-all to take the first set. In the second set, Swiatek was again the first one to go up a break, 3-1, and the Pole once again dropped the lead, but in the end she managed to edge the tiebreak and force the third set.
The world No.76 Svitolina, who returned to the WTA Tour just three months ago, dominated the deciding set and eliminated the top-seeded Swiatek who is spending her 67th week at the top of the rankings.
Svitolina’s semifinal opponent will be Marketa Vondrousova, who fought past fourth seed Jessica Pegula on Court No.1. The other two quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday: Ons Jabeur vs. defending champion Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka vs. Madison Keys. If Sabalenka reaches the final, she will have a chance of overtaking Swiatek as the No.1 WTA player.
Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova overcame Jessica Pegula 6-4 2-6 6-4 on Court No.1 to advance to her first Wimbledon semifinal.
On Court No.1, Pegula kicked off the first quarterfinal at Wimbledon 2023 with a 2-0 lead against Vondrousova. After losing two service games in a row, the American fourth seed managed to secure one more break to level at 4-4. The 2019 French Open runner-up Vondrousova fought hard to convert her fourth break point in the ninth game and eventually sealed the set with a love hold.
The world No.4 Pegula cruised through the second set and went 4-1 up in the decider, after a rain interruption and the closing of the roof at 3-1. Her unseeded opponent battled back to level the third set at 4-4. After a 31-rally point, Pegula earned a game point for a 5-4 lead, but couldn’t capitalize on it. The world No.42 Vondrousova secured her fourth straight game in a row when Pegula sent a forehand long and then confidently served out the victory.
The oldest quarterfinalist at this year’s Wimbledon, the 29-year-old Pegula, has failed to advanced to the semifinals of a Grand Slam on her sixth attempt. Meanwhile, Vondrousova entered Wimbledon with only four grass-court main-draw wins in career, while her record now stands at 9-11.
Despite her family’s multi-billion-dollar fortune, Jessica Pegula remains undeterred as she tirelessly battles on the tennis courts. Her lifelong dream to claim the coveted Wimbledon title eclipses all else, to the extent that she would willingly part ways with her parent’s wealth for a chance to lift the prestigious Grand Slam trophy.
Pegula’s unyielding dedication and relentless work ethic have propelled her into the upper echelons of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, firmly establishing her as one of the Top 5 players in the world. With a remarkable $9,222,538 in prize money already earned throughout her career, the current world No.4’s unwavering ambition burns brighter than ever.
Amidst discussions surrounding her status as the “richest tennis player,” Pegula maintains a grounded outlook. The 29-year-old points out that the wealth attributed to her is not her own and gracefully dismisses its significance, “I don’t really think it matters how much money you have.” Speaking at a press conference held at Wimbledon, she candidly expresses her willingness to forgo her father Terry Pegula’s fortune in exchange for a title at The Championships.
It would be great to win Wimbledon because then I would also have a lot of money from winning Wimbledon.
I think I would trade, yes. I think that would probably be better.
Pegula has achieved her career-best performance at Wimbledon this year, advancing to the quarterfinals. She’s set to face Marketa Vondrousova on Tuesday, aiming to secure her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal spot. A potential showdown with either world No.1 Iga Swiatek or the remarkable mom on Tour, Elina Svitolina, awaits if she succeeds.
Elina Svitolina showed up at Wimbledon in the Adidas Lawn Dress Pro, but only on the day of her impressive fourth-round victory over Victoria Azarenka did the sportswear giant officially confirm the new sponsorship deal.
Svitolina returned to competition in April after maternity leave and became the fourth-lowest-ranked player to win a WTA title when she won Strasbourg in May. The former world No.3 had been working on her comeback without her long-time apparel sponsor, Nike. During the initial months of her return, she supported a small brand called Paka from her home country.
Subsequently, she began to be seen wearing Adidas, but the renowned brand remained quiet about their relationship. Finally, on Sunday, just before Svitolina’s fourth-round match at Wimbledon, Adidas warmly welcomed her to their family with an Instagram post.
World No.1 Iga Swiatek rallied from a set down and saved two match points in the second set to overcome Belinda Bencic 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 in the fourth round of Wimbledon.
In an intense opening set, the 14th-seeded Bencic showcased her resilience by saving two set points, ultimately leveling the score at 5-5 and securing a win in the subsequent tiebreak.
Swiatek, undeterred, kicked off the second set with a 2-0 lead, only to be met by Bencic’s unwavering determination, which led to a remarkable equalizer at 3-3. The stakes were raised even higher when Bencic held two match points at 6-5, but the top seed exhibited incredible courage and skill as she valiantly fought off those critical moments, ultimately cruising through a tiebreak.
In the third set, Swiatek demonstrated her dominance by swiftly racing to a commanding 4-1 lead. Despite the advantage being just a single break for the WTA No.1, Bencic wasn’t able to regain her footing and mount a successful comeback. In the end, Swiatek sealed the victory on the first match point with an exquisite forehand winner. The encounter lasted three hours and two minutes.
In the upcoming quarterfinals, Swiatek is set to face off against Elina Svitolina, who triumphed over fellow mom Victoria Azarenka in a hard-fought match, prevailing 2-6 6-4 7-6(9).
The other women’s quarterfinal in the top half of the draw will be contested between fourth seed Jessica Pegula and Marketa Vondrousova.
It’s time for our Wimbledon 2023 fashion overview. This year marks a notable difference in the dress code, as players are allowed to wear colored undershorts for the first time since 2013. The change comes in response to the requests from WTA players, who complained about the anxiety they felt dressed in all-white while being on their period.
Venus Williams has skillfully incorporated foil iridescent elements, side ruching ties, and jacquard detailing into her latest EleVen clothes. Several pieces in the collection boast leopard pattern accents, adding a touch of fierceness to white ensembles. The American tennis legend confidently chose the Victory Tennis Tank and Victory Tennis Skirtfor her first-round match.
Elina Svitolina is playing her first Grand Slam in Adidas gear. The Ukrainian has opted for the stunning Adidas Lawn Dress Pro, which boasts a captivating flouncy asymmetrical hemline.
While world No.1 Iga Swiatek maintains her loyalty to her long-standing shoe choice for now, the Asics Gel Resolution 9. Meanwhile, her partnership with Roger Federer’s On has garnered significant attention and generated substantial exposure for this exciting new collaboration.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu both opted for the Nike London Slam Dress, whose four racerback straps and a cutout are nicely complemented by a double-layered skirt.
Nike Vapor Pro 2 AC White/Kelly Green Women’s Shoes
Nike Zoom Vapor 11 AC White/Kelly Green Women’s Shoes
Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit played the final tournament of her tennis career in this timeless Lacoste Spring Tennis Pleated Dress. A ribbed collar and pleated skirt give this piece its classic look. The dress incorporates a concealed extended zipper placket on the front, ensuring a seamless and sleek appearance. The contrast binding at the armholes provides a striking visual contrast, while the built-in shortie offers convenience and functionality. Finishing touches such as the contrast topstitching at the hem elevate the dress with exquisite attention to detail.
Ekaterina Alexandrova sports Fila‘s White Line collection, in particular the White Line Lasercut Crossback Tank and White Line Lasercut Skirt. The ensemble features double-crossed back straps, intricate lasercut detailing, and a lace-like skirt hem, making it the perfect choice for those who love feminine silhouettes.
Belinda Bencic plays her first Wimbledon in Asics, donning a dress with a red accented V-neck and small collar.
Leylah Fernandez proudly promotes Lululemon, showcasing their Everlux Asymmetrical Tennis Tank Top paired with the Mesh Pleats Mid-Rise Mini Tennis Skirt.
Coco Gauff‘s brief appearance at this year’s Wimbledon was in New Balance attire.
Sofia Kenin represented FP Movement in the Swing of Things Dress, a classic pull-on style with a pleated bottom skirt and built-in performance shorts.
Marta Kostyuk looked stunning in the sophisticated Wilson Winning Tennis Dress. The dress includes an elegant pleated skirt and a practical front zipper, allowing for adjustable coverage. Adding a touch of playfulness, a stylish lower back cutout is accentuated by a striped band, creating a cool and fashionable look.
Petra Martic endorses J.Lindeberg. The Dagmar Dress blends retro style with modern luxury. To create a timeless aesthetic, designers incorporated a resort collar and contrasting stripes at the sleeve ends.
From Venus Williams’ EleVen collection to Nike’s London line, and the elegant choices of Lacoste and Fila, the tennis fashion showcased at Wimbledon has captivated fans worldwide. These athletes have proven that style and athleticism can coexist, adding an extra layer of excitement to this prestigious tournament.
Ninth seed Petra Kvitova ended the run of Serbian qualifier Natalija Stevanovic and advanced to the fourth round of Wimbledon with a 6-3 7-5 victory.
The world No.225 Stevanovic made a good start, going up a break with a 2-1 lead and showing confident body language. However, Kvitova regained her footing right away, broke back to level and cruised through the remainder of the 38-minute set.
In the second set, Stevanovic displayed an impressive comeback by winning three consecutive games, turning the score from 2-4 to 5-4. However, the match on Court 2 was interrupted by rain at that point. After the resumption of play, the experienced two-time Wimbledon champion, Kvitova, showcased her skill by winning three consecutive games. She demonstrated her resilience by saving three break points in the final game and ultimately capitalized on her fourth match point, securing victory and sealing the deal.
Kvitova entered the tournament after winning her 31st career singles title at Berlin. The Czech has clinched six grass-court titles, the most among active players. The 28-year-old Stevanovic can go home satisfied, having defeated the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Pliskova and Tamara Korpatsch on her Grand Slam main draw debut.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka tastes food at a tennis tournament
Step into the world of professional tennis as Australian Daria Saville unveils her insightful comparisons of the four Grand Slam tournaments. From facilities to cuisine, transportation, and laundry services, the former WTA Top 20 player dissects each aspect to determine which tournament provides the ultimate player experience.
Daria Saville provides a unique player’s perspective on the services offered at tennis majors.
Player’s perspective: Rating the Grand Slams – Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open
Facilities
When it comes to facilities, the Australian Open emerges as the crown jewel. Boasting top-of-the-line gyms, recovery areas, lounges, and treatment rooms, this tournament takes the lead. Following closely is the US Open, with Roland Garros taking third place. Wimbledon lags behind due to space constraints.
Locker rooms
Locker rooms are the prettiest at Wimbledon, the Australian Open follows, while Wimbledon and the US Open share the third place.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka tastes food at a tennis tournament
Food
The Australian Open reigns supreme in the culinary realm. The US Open and Roland Garros follow closely behind, while Wimbledon leaves players craving more flavorful experiences.
Transport
The Australian Open takes the lead by providing an exclusive player Uber app, whisking athletes anywhere they need to be. The US Open offers a similar convenience with its dedicated app. Wimbledon and Roland Garros find themselves sharing the third position.
Laundry
Wimbledon not only boasts elegant locker rooms but also provides an exceptional on-site laundry service. In just 30 minutes, players receive their clothes fresh and ready for action. At the Australian Open, Saville prefers to handle laundry at home, leaving her unfamiliar with the Melbourne services. Roland Garros earns praise for its meticulous folding, while the US Open faces criticism for occasionally mishandling or misplacing players’ attire.
Gifts
All Grand Slam tournaments offer noteworthy gifts, but the US Open steals Daria Saville’s heart with its captivating offerings.
Beauty bar
When it comes to pampering, Melbourne’s beauty bar stands out as an exclusive haven for players. At Roland Garros, the beauty bar’s location within the women’s locker room creates a serene atmosphere. The US Open and Wimbledon secure the third and fourth positions, respectively. (source: Tennis Forum)
Novak Djokovic‘s fellow Serbian tennis player Natalija Stevanovic is making her career breakthrough at the age of 28 by advancing to the third round of Wimbledon. The ATP legend supports his compatriot’s success and says that he hopes they will both eat grass at Wimbledon, referencing his tradition to chew a bit of grass after triumphs at The Championships.
Natalija Stevanovic at Wimbledon 2023
Playing her first ever Grand Slam main draw, qualifier Stevanovic made waves by stunning former world No.1 and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Pliskova in the first round. The world No.225 didn’t stop there and continued her impressive run with a triumph over Tamara Korpatsch, her fifth straight-set victory at the tournament.
Just like Djokovic, Stevanovic likes to celebrate her wins by tasting the legendary grass courts. The record 23-time men’s singles major champion was happy to hear that: “Ha-ha, fantastic! I didn’t know she ate grass, I hope we can eat it together.”
Natalija Stevanovic kisses her husband Nikola Stevanovic after defeating Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon 2023
Although Stevanovic admires Djokovic, her childhood idol was Rafael Nadal, which is reflected in her Instagram handle “Nadalija.” Explaining its origin, the Serbian WTA player said that everyone used to call her Nadalija when she was seven or eight years old, and her brother-in-law included the nickname in her first email address.
In 2020, Natalija (formerly Kostic) became engaged to her coach, Nikola Stevanovic, during the Hua Hin tournament, where she competed in her first WTA main draw. The couple got married in 2021.
Stevanovic’s journey in London is set to face another formidable test in the upcoming third round. Standing in her way is none other than the two-time Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova, who is seeded ninth this year.
Paula Badosa‘s post-match press conference at Wimbledon quickly got awkward as an interviewer mistakenly congratulated her on a win, even though she retired from her second-round match against Marta Kostyuk. “For your information, I just lost,” the WTA player had to clarify the situation to the reporter several times.
Playing her first tournament since Rome due to back injury, the world No.35 Badosa continues to suffer from back problems. Her Friday’s singles match against Kostyuk at Wimbledon wasn’t completed as the Spaniard was forced to retire while trailing 6-2 1-0 due to the ongoing stress fracture.
When the interviewer thinks you’ve won… but you didn’t 😬
The match cut short was not the end of Badosa’s woes. In the press room, the WTA player was faced with top-level discomfort when an uninformed journalist congratulated her on a victory.
“Congrats for your win,” the reporter started the cringe-worthy interview. “I lost,” the perplexed and shocked Badosa responded. The situation only got worse, as the media member had to be corrected several times:
Question: You missed some matches because of injury.
Paula Badosa: Yes.
Question: Could you please tell us about your fitness and confidence level, please.
Paula Badosa: For your information, I just lost. I didn’t win. So yeah.
The moderator: She didn’t win.
Question: Not win?
Paula Badosa: No.
Unfortunately, Badosa will also not be able to play Wimbledon mixed doubles with her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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