Barbora Krejcikova advanced to her inaugural Wimbledon semifinal on Wednesday, securing a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Latvia's 13th seed Jelena Ostapenko. Both players are former French Open champions. The Czech Republic's 31st seed maintained her focus, compelling her adversary to commit 35 unforced errors throughout the match. Ostapenko's quest for a second Grand Slam title since her 2017 win faltered on Court One, which, unusually for this tournament, had its roof open.
The 28-year-old Krejcikova will next face Elena Rybakina, who dominated Elina Svitolina with a 6-3, 6-2 win on Wednesday. The 2022 champion from Kazakhstan overpowered the Ukrainian 21st seed, breaking her serve four times in a swift 61-minute match on Centre Court. Despite being broken in the first game in the presence of Queen Camilla, Rybakina immediately retaliated and maintained her dominance.
Rybakina reflected on the match, stating, "It's always challenging to play against Elina, she's an exceptional player and a fierce competitor. The match isn't as straightforward as it appears." She also expressed her joy from her 2022 victory, saying, "I cherish every moment on the court, especially when I perform well. It's truly incredible." Rybakina, currently the highest-ranked player in the women's draw, dislikes being considered the favorite, noting, "My aggressive playstyle and powerful serve give me a significant edge." The 25-year-old, originally from Russia, delivered 28 winners compared to Svitolina's eight, including seven aces.
