Barty and Pliskova reach ch semis, Jabeur’s ur’s dream run endsnds
LONDON: Ashleigh Barty on Tuesday moved a step closer to achieving her goal of winning the Wimbledon women’s crown on the 50th anniversary of fellow indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s first title victory.
Barty out played fellow australian aj lat omlja no vic -- appearing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the age of 28 -- winning 6-1, 6-3 to progress to the semi-finals.
World number one Barty, though, will need her top game if she is to reach the final as she plays in-form 2018 champion Angelique Kerber in Thursday’s semi-finals.
Kerber, who beat Karolina Muchova 6-2, 6-3, is the only remaining player to have already been in the last four at the tournament.
Former world number one Karolina Pliskova will play Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the other semi-final.
Sabalenka showed all the fighting qualities and power of the tiger tatoo she sports to end the historic run of Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, winning 6-4, 6-3.
Pliskova reached her first Wimbledon semi-final outclassing Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-2.
Sadly the quarter-finals did not provide the greatest of thrills or entertainment for the capacity crowd on Centre and Court One.
It was the first time the tournament has had maximum crowds ater the Covid-19 limit of 50% capacity was lited.
Some hardy souls armed with umbrellas and rugs sat on Henman Hill to watch on the big screen despite driving rain.
World number one Barty already has a 2019 French Open title to her credit but in previous years had yet to show she could add Wimbledon to the Grand Slam list despite winning the junior title in 2011.
Her best previous showing was a fourth round appearance in 2019.
Barty, though, seems motivated to win it on Cawley’s anniversary even wearing a speciallydesigned dress in tribute to the ‘iconic’ scallop one Cawley wore for her 1971 title success.
She was delighted to have reached the last four even if Kerber is a formidable opponent especially on grass.
“It’s the ultimate test,” said Barty. “Angie’s had success here before. I love that match-up. “This is a dream come true.” Sabalenka let out a roar and pumped her arms in the air ater outgunning Jabeur.
The second-seeded Sabalenka had won only once on her previous three visits to Wimbledon but she prevailed with some authority over her 26-year-old opponent.
“I’m happy it looks like everything is working for me,” said Sabalenka, who will try and go one beter than her compatriot Victoria Azarenka who lost twice in the semis in 2011 and 2012.
Jabeur, who had several Tunisian supporters in the crowd, can depart having done all she could to achieve her goal that her success will galvanise a swathe of young Arab women, especially in North Africa, to take up the sport.
Kerber looks a real threat ater the 33-year-old eased to success over Muchova.
Pliskova had litle trouble in brushing aside Golubic with the unseeded Swiss only troubling the Czech towards the end of the match.
QUITTING WIMBLEDON WAS HARDEST THING IN THE WORLD, SAYS RADUCANU: Emma Raducanu pulled out from Wimbledon on the advice of medical staff ater she ‘started to breathe heavily and felt dizzy’.
According to Sky news, the 18-year-old said: “Hi guys, I wanted to let everyone know that I’m feeling much beter this morning. First up I want to congratulate Ajla (Tomljanovic) on an incredible performance and I’m sorry our match ended the way it did.
“I was playing the best tennis of my life in front of an amazing crowd this week and I think the whole experience caught up with me. At the end of the first set, ater some super intense rallies, I started to breathe heavily and felt dizzy.
“The medical team advised me not to continue and, although it felt like the hardest thing in the world not to be able to finish my Wimbledon on the court, I was not well enough to carry on.
“I want to thank the people who have cheered me on every single match, I wanted to win so badly for you! I also want to thank the All England Club, my team, the LTA, my parents and friends.”