Latvian star Jelena Ostapenko was not in the mood during her quarterfinal contest against Barbora Krejcikova.
As the 13th seed was being swept out of the grand slam event, she caused panic among her coaches box when she demanded one member leave the court.
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As the match began to slip away from her, Ostapenko returned to her chair before she turned the flamethrower on her team.
In a moment of panic and confusion, those within the box had no idea who she was pointing at and asking to leave centre court.
The tense exchange however did little to change the outcome of the contest as the 31st seeded Krejcikova proved too strong as she claimed the 6-4, 7-6 win to book her spot in the semi-finals where she’ll take on 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
“I told myself that I’m going to leave here everything I have and I’m really happy that I did and it’s a great moment for me,” said Krejcikova, who saw Ostapenko undone by 35 unforced errors. “It’s an unbelievable moment that I’m experiencing right now in my tennis career.”
Victory for the 28-year-old Krejcikova comes after a miserable run in 2024.
“It was a very, very difficult period. It was actually super difficult even before this tournament. I really want to thank my team that is there today,” said Krejcikova.
“There have been many doubts from inside but also from the outside world but I’m super happy that I never give up and that I’m standing here right now and that I qualified to be in the semi-finals.”
‘Best day of my life … after my son’s birth’
Lorenzo Musetti said reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon on Wednesday was the best day of his life after the birth of his son
Italian 25th seed Musetti defeated 13th-ranked Taylor Fritz of the United States 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 and will face seven-time champion Novak Djokovic for a place in the final.
“It’s a magic day,” said the 22-year-old. “I have to say after the birth of my son, I will put this in the second position today.
“For my career, is the best day of my life.” Musetti and his girlfriend Veronica Confalonieri became parents to son Ludovic in March this year.
Now Musetti has another special day on his agenda — facing Djokovic in Friday’s semi-finals at the All England Club.
Djokovic, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, was earlier handed a free pass into a 13th Wimbledon semi-final when Alex de Minaur withdrew from their scheduled last-eight tie with a hip injury.
Djokovic has a 5-1 winning record over Musetti, including a come-from-behind five-set victory at the French Open last month.
That third-round match set the record for the latest finish at Roland Garros, with Djokovic completing victory at 3:07 in the morning.
Musetti also took Djokovic the distance in their first meeting at Roland Garros in 2021, when the Italian won the opening two sets of their last-16 tie before injury scuppered his hopes in the decider.
“Djokovic is a legend everywhere. We’ve played lots of times and I expect a huge fight,” said Musetti.
“It’s the toughest challenge in tennis but I am an ambitious guy and I like to be challenged. I will give 100 per cent.” The Italian added: “After matches with ‘Nole’, I always learn a lesson. “That last match against him was stressful. Against him you are more stressed because he’s probably the best player ever or one of the best players ever.” On Wednesday, Musetti came back from dropping the first set for the third time at Wimbledon this year after Fritz broke in the fourth game.
The Italian, who plays with a one-handed backhand, levelled on a fourth set point in the second set tie-break and was dominant in the third, breaking the American in the first and fifth games.
Fritz had come back from two sets down to knock out Alexander Zverev in the last 16 but showed no sign of immediately wilting, levelling the contest in the fourth set.
However, Musetti was undaunted, sweeping into a 5-0 lead in the decider on his way to victory.
Fritz also lost a five-set quarter-final at Wimbledon to Rafael Nadal in 2022, with the Spaniard winning the final set tie-break.
“I think the one two years ago hurt even more because I was within points of winning,” said the American.
Wimbledon favourite Rybakina among ‘top five’ servers, says Svitolina
Elina Svitolina said Elena Rybakina’s serve was in the “top five” she has faced after she was crushed by the former Wimbledon champion in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The Kazakh fourth seed won 6-3, 6-2 in just 61 minutes and will face Barbora Krejcikova for a place in Saturday’s final.
The 25-year-old crunched 28 winners, including seven aces against her Ukrainian opponent.
Rybakina was broken in the first game on Centre Court in front of the watching Queen Camilla but hit back straight away and barely put a foot wrong after that.
The Russian-born player said Svitolina was a tough opponent, whatever the scoreboard suggested.
Rybakina, the highest-ranked player left in the women’s draw, said she did not like to be labelled as the favourite.
“I have an aggressive style of game, I have a huge serve so it’s a big advantage,” she said.
Svitolina, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals last year, said it was tough to counter Rybakina’s power game, describing it as a “difficult day in the office”.
Rybakina is joint-leader on ace count at Wimbledon, with 31, and has been broken just six times in the first five rounds.
Svitolina was asked how Rybakina’s serve compared with other players she had faced throughout her career.
“For sure top five,” she said. “It’s a great serve that she has. I feel like Serena (Williams), as well, was unbelievable server.
“I think Elena is someone that also returns quite good, especially on grass. I mean, grass is such a difficult surface already to return. Then when you have someone who hits the spots good, it’s extremely difficult.” Svitolina, the 21st seed, said she had not been aware that Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles III, was on court on Wednesday.
Earlier in the week she wore a black ribbon on court hours after a Russian missile barrage that killed dozens, including in Kyiv, where a children’s hospital was reduced to debris.
Svitolina, who has been outspoken over the plight of Ukrainians following Russia’s invasion of her country, thanked the British people for their “unbelievable” support.
“We couldn’t thank enough for all the people, as well, that let a lot of Ukrainians use their homes, share their homes with them,” she said.
“Of course, it’s something bigger than sport.”