Former Champion Kerber Headlines Ladies’ Semifinals at Wimbledon

July 6, 2021 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Angelique Kerber (3)_crop
Photo Credit: Brian Coleman/NY Tennis Magazine

 

The field of eight was trimmed down to four on Tuesday, as the semifinals in the Ladies’ Singles draw at the 2021 Wimbledon Champions is now set.

The first through to the semifinals was Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova, who won yet again in straight sets as she posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.

“I think I did exactly what I needed to do to beat her. I was super focused and just tried to play every point, not to give her that many easy balls because I know she doesn’t really miss much,” said Pliskova. “My serve was extremely good today, I would say. Also the court was hard because it was a bit windy out there today. These conditions are perfect for me. I’m happy about the win.”

Into her third career major semifinal, Pliskova now moves into a matchup with second-seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Sabalenka outhit Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-3 to secure a place in her first career major semifinal.

“The only thing I was thinking about is my game, to stay focused and to fight for every point, for every opportunity I had,” said Sabalenka. “Today, it surprised me, but I didn’t feel that pressure of being in a quarterfinal for the first time. I was just enjoying the atmosphere and enjoying my game, just doing everything I can to win this match. So it was a great performance for me.”

The other semifinal will pit world number one Ashleigh Barty against former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, the 25th seed.

Kerber, who lifted the trophy back in 2018, moved into the final four by way of a 6-2, 6-3 win over Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova.

“Of course, it’s a good feeling already to have the [Wimbledon] trophy at home and to win it here,” Kerber said. “I think it’s more about this tournament for me, because when I was a kid I really looked forward to playing this tournament good, and playing my best tennis here. Now I’m back. I’m coming [back] after a really tough time. I was not playing good the last few months. Now winning last week a tournament at home, now playing well here again, that means a lot to me.”

Barty was the final lady into the semifinals as she took out fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 6-3 in the final quarterfinal match of the day on Tuesday. The clinical Barty won six straight games from 0-1 down in the opening set, and didn’t take her foot off the gas in the second set as she advanced in one hour and six minutes.

“This is my dream,” Barty said, in her post-match press conference. “I’m in an extremely fortunate position that I’m getting to do what I love, getting to do what I dreamt as a kid. So I think I’ve just got a whole lot of gratitude for the fact that I get to come out here and do what I love.”

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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