Wimbledon women's final four: History-makers, surprise stars – and some familiar faces
The Wimbledon women’s final four is set after the quarterfinals played out at the All England Club on Tuesday. Home hopes faded, young stars burned out but some big tennis names powered their way through.
NO KONT-IUATION FOR HOME HOPES
The quest for a home winner of Wimbledon has been postponed for another year at least after Johanna Konta was defeated in straight sets (7-6, 6-1) by unseeded Czech player Barbora Strycova in Tuesday's quarterfinal in front of an expectant, but ultimately disappointed, Center Court.
Worth the wait... 🙌#Wimbledon | @BaraStrycovapic.twitter.com/MHTFBPUy3R
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2019
Konta displayed the verve which guided her to the tournament's final eight in the first set before losing a tie-break, but in the second the Brit's challenge disintegrated as she saw her serve repeatedly broken.
SERENA SURVIVES SCARE
Serena Williams survived a scare against fellow American Alison Riske as she dropped the second set but an impressive tally of 19 aces to 1 eventually told to hand the seven-time Wimbledon winner a chance at an eighth singles trophy at the All England Club when she faces Strycova in Thursday's semi-final.
Also on rt.com Wimbledon: 'Pumped' Serena Williams battles past compatriot Riske into semisSVITOLINA MAKES HISTORY
Williams will be joined in the semi-finals by Elina Svitolina who got past Karolina Muchova in a close affair on Court One which was edged by the Ukrainian (7-5, 6-4).
In the process, Svitolina became the first Ukrainian women ever to reach a Grand Slam final.
First Ukrainian woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final 🇺🇦#Wimbledon | @ElinaSvitolinapic.twitter.com/Ib9tfiqs6A
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2019
SIMONA STEERS PAST ZHANG
The top seeded women's player remaining is also through as seventh-seeded Simona Halep defeated China's Zhang Shuai (7-6, 6-1).
A semi-finalist once again…@Simona_Halep defeats a spirited Shuai Zhang 7-6(4), 6-1 to make the #Wimbledon final four for the first time since 2014 pic.twitter.com/IVGkZ9Njxl
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2019
Halep and Svitlona will also duel in two days' time to determine one half of the Wimbledon 2019 ladies’ final.
WOMEN'S SEMIFINAL LINE-UP
The #Wimbledon ladies' semi-final line-up🇺🇸 Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova 🇨🇿🇺🇦 Elina Svitolina vs Simona Halep 🇷🇴 pic.twitter.com/IeeVLVORku
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2019
