Ukraine’s hope Svitolina
Defeats Cibionte to reach Wimbledon quarterfinals
“A little happiness for my people”
Sibyontek “I hope you win”
Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) covers her face with her hands in emotion after winning her women’s singles quarterfinal match against Iga Szibiontek (Poland) at the Wimbledon tennis tournament on Wednesday. LONDON=AP News
“The war made me mentally stronger.”
Ukrainian women’s tennis player Elina Svitolina (29-World No. 76) said after defeating world No. 1 Iga Cibionte (22-Poland) 2-1 (7-5, 6-7, 6-2) in the women’s singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon at the All England Club near London, England, on Wednesday. “I don’t take any difficulties as a big misfortune anymore. There are many worse things in life.”
Svitolina is the first Ukrainian to defeat a world No. 1 at a major in either the men’s or women’s singles. “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what’s going on, I can’t believe it,” Svitolina said of defeating the world number one. “If someone had said to me before this tournament, ‘I’m going to beat the world number one and go to the quarterfinals,’ I would have said, ‘Are you crazy? Svitolina will become the first Ukrainian woman to reach the final of a major if she wins her quarterfinal match against Marketa Bondrowshova (24-Czech Republic – 42nd) on Wednesday. Asked how she would prepare for the quarterfinal, Svitolina laughed and said, “First of all, I’m going to drink some beer,” before adding, “I’m just going to enjoy tonight and then I’m going to regroup and play.”
Svitolina also made sure to thank CivionTech after the match. “(Sibiontech) still does a lot for Ukraine,” Svitolina said, adding, “It was not easy for me to play because I don’t want to see such a good friend lose.” Sibiontek has been wearing a ribbon in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on her cap since last year to show support for the country that was invaded by Russia. They wore the same ribbon on their hats against Svitolina.
Loser Sibiontek was rooting for Svitolina. “(Svitolina) is a player I like on a human level. When we met at the net after today’s match, I told her, ‘I hope you win this tournament,'” she said. “Now I will be rooting for her to win. “Now I’ll be rooting for her to win. It would be amazing to come back and win a major after becoming a mom. Svitolina is married to men’s tennis player Gael Monfis (37-France) and gave birth to a daughter last October. While she took a break from the sport after giving birth, she didn’t stop raising money to help her country’s soldiers in the war with Russia. When he returned to the court in April this year, six months after giving birth, he said: “The birth and the war changed my attitude to life. “I saw videos of Ukrainian children watching my matches on their cell phones and being happy. I’m glad I was able to bring a little happiness to my people.” Yvonne Goolagong (72-Australia), the 1980 champion, is the only player to reach the top of Wimbledon after giving birth.
Novak Djokovic (36, Serbia, No. 2) continued his cruise to a fifth straight title. Djokovic rallied from a 3-1 (4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3) deficit against No. 26 Andrei Rublev (No. 7 Russia) in the men’s singles quarterfinals to reach the last four. It was his 46th career quarterfinal at a major, tying him with Roger Federer (42-Swiss) for the most in that category. 토토사이트 Djokovic will face No. 22-ranked Jannik Cinnere (Italy-8) on Thursday for a spot in the final.