Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic punched their tickets to the Wimbledon semifinals on Wednesday with impressive straight-set wins, each marking a significant milestone in their respective careers.
Swiatek, the world No. 8, defeated Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6–2, 7–5 to reach her first-ever semi-final at the All England Club. The four-time Grand Slam champion, known for her dominance on clay and hard courts, showcased her evolving grass-court game with a commanding performance. After breezing through the first set, Swiatek was pushed in the second but held her nerve to close out the match in just under 90 minutes.
This semi-final appearance completes a career-best showing for Swiatek at Wimbledon, having previously fallen short of the final four. It also makes her a semifinalist at all four majors -- a testament to her growing versatility and mental strength.
Belinda Bencic makes it to the final four
Joining her in the final four is Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, who overcame 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva 7–6(3), 7–6(2) in a tense, high-quality contest. The 28-year-old, playing her first Grand Slam since returning from maternity leave in April 2024, delivered a composed display under pressure, winning both tie-breaks with authority.
Bencic becomes the first Swiss woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since Martina Hingis in 1998. Her win is also historic in another sense: she is one of the few mothers in modern tennis to reach the final four of a Major, adding her name to a short list that includes Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.
Swiatek and Bencic will now face each other in the semifinals -- a battle between a resurgent champion and a returning Olympian rewriting her comeback story. With both players in top form, Centre Court is set for a gripping encounter as Wimbledon nears its climax.
