World No. 1 Iga Swiatek continued her impressive 2025 Wimbledon run by booking her place in the semi-finals for the first time, defeating Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 in a confident display on Court One.
The 24-year-old Pole, a four-time French Open champion, has struggled in previous years to translate her clay-court dominance to the grass of the All England Club. But this year, after relinquishing her Roland Garros crown, Swiatek appears determined to conquer a surface that has long eluded her.
“It feels great. Even though it’s the middle of the tournament, I got goosebumps after this win,” she said. “This year I feel I can work with it. I’m really enjoying myself, and hopefully it lasts as long as possible.”
Swiatek’s semi-final opponent will be Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who came through a tense double tie-break contest against 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva — winning 7-6(3), 7-6(2) — to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final and just the second Grand Slam semi of her career.
Bencic, 28, missed the entire 2024 Grand Slam season to give birth to her daughter Bella in April last year. She returned to the tour in late October and has quickly rediscovered her form, now becoming the first Swiss woman to reach a Wimbledon semi-final since Martina Hingis in 1998.
“It’s unbelievable, a dream come true,” said a visibly emotional Bencic after sealing the win. “I tried not to think about the moment during match point. I’m just really proud — after having Bella, I say that to myself more often. We’re enjoying life on tour and creating beautiful memories together.”
The match between Bencic and Andreeva was a masterclass in tactical tennis. The young Russian, hoping to become the youngest Wimbledon semi-finalist since Sharapova in 2004, played with poise but lacked the edge in key moments. Bencic used her experience and composure to edge both tie-breaks and fend off a late resurgence from Andreeva.
Swiatek, meanwhile, was dominant for large stretches against Samsonova, racing through the first set with aggressive shot-making and punishing errors from her opponent.
Samsonova, playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, settled in the second set, reeling off three straight games to level at 4-4, but Swiatek steadied to close out the match in just under two hours.
Her win keeps alive the prospect of a dream final against Aryna Sabalenka — the woman who dethroned her as world No. 1 earlier this year.
But first, Swiatek must get past a resurgent and fearless Bencic, who is enjoying a fairytale return from maternity leave and could pose her toughest test yet on grass.
The semi-final promises to be a compelling clash between two players with very different journeys — one chasing a long-awaited Wimbledon breakthrough, the other writing a remarkable comeback story.