Belinda Bencic emulates Martina Hingis as she downs Mirra Andreeva to reach Wimbledon semi-finals
Belinda Bencic reached her first-ever Wimbledon semi-final after delivering a terrific performance to defeat teenage star Mirra Andreeva.
The Swiss prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(2) against world No 7 Andreeva in a tight and high-level quarter-final showdown on Centre Court.
Bencic saved the only break points of the opening set in the 11th game before outplaying the 18-year-old Russian in the tiebreak.
In the second set, Bencic broke to take a 5-4 lead, but Andreeva struck back when she served for the match in the next game.
The 28-year-old held her nerve in another tiebreak, though, to seal one of the most significant triumphs of her career.
The world No 35 has become just the second Swiss woman in the Open Era to reach Grand Slam semi-finals on multiple surfaces after her legendary compatriot Martina Hingis.
Bencic made her only other major last four appearance at the 2019 US Open. She is also only the second Swiss woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals after Hingis.
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In her on-court interview, Bencic said: “Mirra Andreeva was really tough, I have a lot of respect for her. She is 18 and performing on the biggest stages, already winning so many amazing tournaments.
“I studied all evening yesterday to come up with a plan. I think it worked out well. With two tie-breaks it is not easy, it’s just a small edge. I am so happy to play on Centre Court. It is just my third time and it is so magical, so thank you very much.
“When the match is so tight, you are not thinking and your body is functioning and your instincts kick in so I’m really happy I won today.”
On reaching her maiden Wimbledon semi-final , Bencic said: “It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. I tried not to think about it at the match point. I’m just speechless. It is my second Grand Slam semi-final overall and my first at Wimbledon. Just speechless, so happy.”
Bencic has risen 15 places to 20th in the Live WTA Rankings with the 780 points earned from her run to the semi-finals.
The Swiss addressed her return to the top 20 after returning from maternity leave late last year: “I’m very proud. I didn’t say it to myself much before but since having Bella (her daughter) I say it to myself every day.
“It’s not only me, I wouldn’t be able to do it without my amazing family and team. We worked so hard on the comeback. We are enjoying life on tour and to play great is a bonus. I’m generally just really happy to be able to play again. because my body allows it.”
On her foot injury, Bencic added: “It’s my toenail, they always crack. It is the life of a tennis player! I didn’t want to take a medical time out so you don’t have to see this (laughs).”
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