Elina Svitolina advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-1 win against China's Wang Xinyu on Monday, but her victory was overshadowed by the emotional toll of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Moments after securing a match-up with 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, Svitolina wept during her post-match interview upon hearing that Kyiv's main children's hospital had been struck by missiles.
"Today's performance was solid from my perspective, but it's a challenging day for Ukrainians," Svitolina said, her voice breaking. The 21st seed, who equaled her best Wimbledon performance last year by reaching the semifinals, wore a black ribbon on her outfit as a symbol of her distress.
"Focusing on the game was difficult today. The morning's news made it hard to concentrate. Playing on the court felt incredibly tough," she added. Russian forces reportedly targeted multiple Ukrainian cities, resulting in the death of at least 36 civilians and severe damage to the hospital, marking one of the deadliest strikes in recent months.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed their strikes were aimed at military targets and airbases, continuing to deny any attacks on civilian infrastructure. Svitolina, a former world number three and three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, now faces a significant challenge against Rybakina in her quest for a maiden Major title.
Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinals after her opponent, the 17th seed Anna Kalinskaya from Russia, retired due to a suspected injury while trailing 6-3, 3-0. Rybakina, the only woman left in the tournament who has won the Venus Rosewater Dish, quickly regained her composure after an early setback.
As the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament, Rybakina emphasized the importance of maintaining her best form. "Every match is tough, and I need to perform at my best in each one," she stated. "I enjoy every moment on the court and am pleased with my progress in the draw. I hope to continue this momentum."
Australia's Alex De Minaur secured his first Wimbledon quarterfinal spot by defeating France's Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Despite a strong start, Fils' attempt to become the youngest French quarterfinalist in the Open Era was thwarted by De Minaur's decisive fourth-set performance.
Italian Lorenzo Musetti ended the impressive run of France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on his 21st birthday, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Musetti, the 25th seed, overcame a slow start to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Mpetshi Perricard, known for his powerful serve, had excelled as a lucky loser in the qualifying rounds but couldn't sustain his momentum against Musetti.
Musetti reflected on his victory, acknowledging the challenge posed by Mpetshi Perricard's serve. "It's a significant day for me, and I'm thrilled to have won against a formidable opponent," Musetti said. Mpetshi Perricard, who recently entered the top 100, delivered 10 aces but was broken five times, ending his remarkable tournament with 115 aces, a record unlikely to be surpassed this year.
