COASTER SAYS KERBER, JUST RIDE IT

years later she was a semi- finalist in Melbourne and won at the All England Club. Since then, she has failed to get past the fourth round in any Grand Slam and gone out in the first round twice this year.

But Kerber, who faces Barty in their semi- final today on Centre Court, said: “The last few months it was really tough. But I never stopped believing in myself.

“I’ve always had ups and downs, but I always believed I could come back because I know I can. I’ve played twice in the final here. I try to come back stronger. And here I am.”

Meanwhile, second seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on Karolina Pliskova, and the Belarus star has admitted there was a time when she wondered if she would ever make it past the fourth round of a Grand Slam, after five years of trying.

Sabalenka said: “I was struggling in Grand Slams, with all the emotions. After every Slam I was so disappointed I couldn’t handle this pressure.

“I actually thought that I would never make it to the second week.

“So I’m really happy that I’m still in the tournament and still have this opportunity to win a Slam.”