Wimbledon - Day 9: Medvedev’s revenge, Vekic’s reward

Medvedev topples the top seed

The recent track record was in world No.1 Jannik Sinner’s favour – winning their last five encounters – he also reeled in Daniil Medvedev from two sets down to win the Australian Open in January.

However, it’s easy to forget Medvedev is a major winner from his 2021 triumph in New York.

Just like 2023, the world No.5 returned to the Wimbledon semi-finals in an enthralling 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 scoreline over Sinner.

It was always going to be a lung bursting battle. For example in the opening set tie-break, both players were gasping for air at the culmination of a 33-shot rally. The Italian started to struggle physically at the start of the third set, suffering from dizziness, whereas Medvedev grew into the contest, striking with incremental authority.

Sinner didn’t want to blame his issues for defeat, graciously hailing his opponent.

“He has been No.1 in the world. He won a lot of titles. He knows how to handle the situation on the court,” stated Sinner. “He's a smart player with some very good weapons. Today he deserved because he played better than me in certain moments. That's it.

“Tough one again because lost in five in Roland Garros, in five here, and five in US Open last year. It's all part of what it takes to hopefully make the step forward again.”

Sinner had been 5-0 in tie-breaks at Wimbledon this campaign and had won nine in a row, however, Medvedev stealing the third set appeared to be a turning point. The world No.1 rallied valiantly, but the No.5 seed was steely down the home straight to book a 2023 semi-final re-match with Carlos Alcaraz.

“I knew if I wanted to beat Jannik it needs to be a tough match," said Medvedev. "I'm really happy to win, really happy with my game.

“Mentally it was a good match today because I actually didn't think about the match in Australia (the final). I was not before the fifth set, ‘Oh, my God, it's again five sets.’

“I was there to fight, to do my best. Was only thinking about it in a good way to prepare tactically.

“Every match is a different story. I'm happy today I managed to do it. In two days I have another chance against a top player.”

All-star Alcaraz clicks

The trademark smile was there, the fist bump celebrations eventually came out. For two sets, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was well and truly on the back foot facing Queen’s Club champion Tommy Paul.

Like the Hall of Fame stars Alcaraz is spoken about alongside, the Spaniard found an extra gear to claim a semi-final spot 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Was it his sparkling best? No. Alcaraz knows that, but he’s well within reach of a fourth major.

“Today was a really difficult match for me,” said the Roland-Garros champion. “At the beginning of the first set and the beginning of the second set, it was kind of like I was playing on clay: big rallies, over 10 or 15 shots every point.

“I had to stay there strong mentally when I lost the first set. It was kind of difficult a little bit for me but I know this is a long journey, really long match so I had just had to stay there. I’m really happy to find the solutions and the good path.”

His self-assurance simply never waivers.

“If I'm struggling a little bit to find the solutions if the opponent is playing great tennis and I don't get him in trouble, I believe at the end that I'll be able to come back.

“Even here in the Grand Slams, the matches are longer. I have more to recover, to be fight back, so I believe in myself the whole time.“

Donna digs deep for glory

Her brother flew in, friends and family packed her player’s box, this was a huge day for Donna Vekic.

Always a danger in a Grand Slam draw, the world No.37 has gone deep before with quarter-finals at US Open 2019 and last year at Australian Open 2023.

Knee surgery in 2021 derailed the 28-year-old, who has struggled for motivation and drive in recent campaigns. At times she’s wanted to throw in the towel. On Monday, Vekic’s resilience was rewarded with a maiden Grand Slam semi-final, after dispatching qualifier Lulu Sun 5-7, 6-4, 6-1.

“It was those couple of years were very tough. I didn't think I was ever going to come back to the level that I even had last year,” admitted Vekic.

“This now, reaching my best result ever at a Slam, I'm really proud of myself, of the work that I've done, of the work that my team has done. I'm very thankful to them for believing in me when I didn't.

“There was a couple of times in my career that I didn't want to play tennis any more… actually there was one recent one.

“It was the Thursday before Roland-Garros this year that we had scheduled practice. I arrived to the club. I told my coach, ‘Listen, I want to pull out of Roland-Garros. I want to go home. I want to take a longer break.’

“I didn't have any energy, any motivation to keep practising, keep pushing because I felt like the last couple months I've given everything for tennis, and I wasn't getting the results that I kind of expected.”

A bruising match tie-break loss in the third-round of Roland-Garros to Olga Danilovic reignited Vekic’s spark.

“That loss in Paris was so, so painful. But it motivated me again to keep working, to keep pushing,” said the world No.37. “It's crazy how in tennis things can turn so fast.”

Paolini powers past Navarro

Vekic will take to court in Thursday’s semi-finals over the net from Jasmine Paolini. The beaming smile from the Italian said it all.

The Roland-Garros runner-up has replicated her form from Paris in south-west London, dismissing Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-1 in just 57 minutes on Monday.

Remember, until 2024, the 28-year-old had never won a WTA main draw contest on the grass courts on tour.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s amazing to get the win in this special court. I’m so happy to be in the semi-final,” said the No.7 seed, the first Italian woman to make it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

"I have to say today I played a really good match, she’s a really tough opponent, I lost to her three times in the last year, so it was tough.

“It’s a dream to be here in this position. I was watching finals when I was a kid, on this court.”