Photo Source: Camera Sport
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday July 9, 2025
Five major titles and – finally – a Wimbledon semifinal for Iga Swiatek.
The Pole has found her footing on the grass and was large and in charge on Wednesday as she took out 19th-seeded Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to become the first woman from her country to reach a Wimbledon semifinal since Agnieszka Radwanska played the final in 2015.
“Honestly it feels great, even though I’m in the middle of the tournament I already got goosebumps after this win,” Swiatek told the Court No.1 crowd. “I’m super happy and super proud of myself.”
Swiatek, one of two WTA players to have reached the semifinals at all three Grand Slams thus far in 2025, along with Aryna Sabalenka, will face either Mirra Andreeva or Belinda Bencic for a spot in the final on Thursday. The No.8 seed took the match by the scruff after splitting the first four games, running off seven consecutive games to lead 6-2, 3-0.
Steady topspin drives, and pinpoint serving were the soup du jour for Swiatek, who handled Samsonova’s stunning power with her quickness and ability to absorb pace. She finished with 21 winners and five breaks of serve, but would meet resistance during a difficult segment of the second set as first-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist Samsonova ratcheted up her intensity and secured two consecutive breaks to draw level at four-all.
Swiatek was serving at 4-2, 40-0, but suddenly found herself in hot water. She stayed level for another set of service holds, and had a chance to strike with Swiatek serving at 5-5, 0-30, but the Pole confidently righted the ship, closing the game with a stunning running forehand. A forehand return winner sealed the victory moments later – a special achievement for Swiatek on her sixth Wimbledon appearance, one that she hopes is a sign of things to come
Swiatek is into her ninth major semifinal overall, and is the fourth active player to have reached the semifinals at all four majors, and the Polish player to achieve the feat.