Marketa Vondrousova’s dream turns into a reality as she stuns Elina Svitolina to reach final at Olympics
Marketa Vondrousova will contest the Tokyo Olympics gold medal match with Belinda Bencic after brushing aside Elina Svitolina in the semi-final.
World No 42 Vondrousova started the Games as a rank outsider, but she is now just one win away from winning gold after beating fourth seed Svitolina 6-4, 6-1 at Ariake Tennis Park.
The Czech, who accounted for pre-tournament favourite Naomi Osaka’s demise in the third round, broke three times in the first set and twice in the second set to claim a routine win in just over an hour.
First woman from #CZE to reach an #Olympics singles final: Czech ✅@VondrousovaM was flawless in a 6-3 6-1 semi-final victory against No.4 seed Elina Svitolina and now stands one win away from #Gold#Tokyo2020 | #Tennis
— ITF (@ITFTennis) July 29, 2021
“I mean my emotions right now are too high,” the 22-year-old, who finished runner-up to Ashleigh Barty at Roland Garros in 2019, said. “To have the medal, for me it’s the greatest thing ever to be here as an athlete for the Olympics.
“It’s amazing, and also to have a medal, it’s something I dreamt of and I didn’t think it will become reality.”
She will face Bencic on Saturday after the Swiss world No 12 defeated Elena Rybankina in the first semi-final.
Latest
-
WTA TourSimona Halep to return to top ten after reaching Toronto final
Simona Halep and Beatriz Haddad Maia will battle it out for the Toronto Masters title.
-
ATP TourDan Evans battles bravely but Pablo Carreno Busta sets Hubert Hurkacz showdown
The British number two was eventually outlasted 7-5 6-7 6-2 across two hours and 58 minutes.
-
ATP TourAndy Murray gets Cinccinati boost, but handed tricky opener against old foe with Cameron Norrie also lurking
Andy Murray handed tough assignment in Cincinnati.
-
ATP TourDan Evans vs Pablo Carreno Busta: How to watch Montreal semis as Evans looks to sneak into ATP top 20
A quick lowdown on the Canadian Masters semi-final and possible ATP Ranking changes.
-
ATP TourRafael Nadal ‘happy to be in Cincy’ as he finds out his path to possible glory at ATP Masters 1000 event
Rafael Nadal good to go in Cincinnati.
-
ATP TourNick Kyrgios ‘doesn’t care’ about records as he admits parents’ illness and fatigue are weighing him down
Nick Kyrgios not concerned about his winning streak coming to an end as he is more worried about his parents.
-
ATP TourATP Cincy draw: Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios could meet again, Dan Evans in line to face Stefanos Tsitsipas
This way for the draw of the 2022 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
-
WTA TourSimona Halep ‘stays strong mentally’ to hold off ‘super nice and future Grand Slam champion’ Coco Gauff
Simona Halep overcomes edgy second set to beat Coco Gauff.
-
WTA TourWTA Cincinnati draw: Emma Raducanu to face Serena Williams in dream opening match
The Cincy draw has dished up a big one: Emma Raducanu vs Serena Williams
-
ATP TourDan Evans continues his dream run to reach Montreal semi-final
He will face Pablo Carreno Busta after the Spaniard defeated British qualifier Jack Draper in straight sets.