Wimbledon: Elena Rybakina defeated former champion Simona Halep in straight sets, advancing to her first Wimbledon final.
The Russian-born Kazakh’s relentless display of powerful hitting proved too much for 2019 winner Halep, who was defeated 6-3 6-3 to set up a Saturday meeting with third seed Ons Jabeur.
“Simona is a great champion but I was really focused today and really happy with my performance,” the 23-year-old said.
“Of course, I was nervous, but my previous matches on Court One helped.” It was my first time on Centre Court, but the atmosphere I had beforehand was extremely beneficial.
“I think today I was mentally prepared and did everything I could. It was an amazing match.
“Ons is a very good, very tricky player and it’s not going to be easy to play her drop shots. But I think it’s going to be a great match.”
Rybakina, who was born and still lives in Moscow, avoided Wimbledon’s ban on Russian players by switching to represent Kazakhstan four years ago.
That decision, made in order to receive more funding, has paid off for both parties, with the world No. 23 becoming the first Kazakh player to reach a Grand Slam final.
Halep had swept past seeded opponents Paula Badosa and Amanda Anisimova on her way to a third major title.
However, the Romanian was unable to buy a first serve, with nine double faults compared to Rybakina’s five aces telling its own story.
Rybakina took an early break thanks to a double fault followed by a fizzing forehand winner.
At 4-1, Rybakina successfully challenged a line call, resulting in two more break points, but Halep wriggled out of trouble this time.
But Rybakina’s pressure was telling, and another double fault brought up a set point, which Halep also had to negotiate in order to hold for 5-3.
But it was just postponing the inevitable, with a 118mph ace giving Rybakina three set points.
Halep saved two, but Rybakina won the first set in 37 minutes after a forehand floated wide.
At the start of the second set, Halep went from bad to worse with two more double faults, the second on break point, putting Rybakina in control.
Halep was able to claw her way back this time, but her good work was quickly undone by another serving blip.
Rybakina secured her place in the final with a booming backhand down the line at 5-3 on Halep’s serve.
Salisbury and Ram suffered a heartbreaking defeat
The Australian duo of Matt Ebden and Max Purcell defeated Britain’s Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram in a heartbreaking semi-final.
Fought to the very end, but Joe and Rajeev's run ends in the semi-final#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/03DLRYPXJS
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 7, 2022
The best seeds Salisbury and Ram were attempting to reach their first Wimbledon final together and appeared to be well on their way after winning the first two sets.
They also led 6-4 in the third-set tie-break and had five chances to win it, two of them on their own serves, but couldn’t convert, and the momentum shifted.
Ebden and Purcell, who defeated Ram and Salisbury earlier in the Australian Open, made their opponents pay for their missed opportunities, winning 3-6 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 6-2.
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