Sinner stops Safiullin to move into Wimbledon semi-finals

LONDON: Eighth seed Jannik Sinner broke new ground at Wimbledon on Tuesday as the Italian powered into the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over big-hitting Russian Roman Safiullin.

The 21-year-old has made the most of a favourable draw at the grasscourt major this year and became the first man to reach the final four without taking on a top 50 opponent since both Boris Becker and Pete Sampras did so in 1995.

The win also meant Sinner became only the third Italian man to make the Wimbledon semis after Nicola Pietrangeli and Matteo Berrettini but he had to overcome a wobble against the inspired Safiullin midway through the contest.

After a high-octane start by both players under the roof on a sometimes slippery Court One, Sinner broke for a 5-4 lead with a barrage of big shots from the baseline and comfortably held serve in the next game to go a set up on Safiullin.

World number 92 Safiullin did not let his optimism dip after surrendering his serve early in the second set and the Wimbledon debutant reeled off five games in a row from 1-3 down to draw level in the match.

The slightly-built Sinner continued to exhibit superb ball-striking en route to winning the next set in 34 minutes and the contest was effectively over after he broke for a 4-2 lead in the fourth set, which he won when Safiullin sent a shot wide.

Up next for Sinner is a meeting with holder Novak Djokovic or seventh seed Andrey Rublev.

Svitolina topples top seed Swiatek

Elina Svitolina came through a tremendous three-set battle to defeat tournament top seed Iga Swiatek in their quarter-final.

Svitolina looked stunned when she sealed the 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 victory in front of a delighted Centre Court crowd.

The Ukrainian had to stage a remarkable fight back, twice recovering from a break down, to win the first set against Swiatek 7-5. World No. 1 Swiatek began the match with a declaration of intent, winning the first game against Svitolina’s serve. She looked to have taken an early command of their quarter-final, showing a deft touch as she placed the ball out of Svitolina’s reach. But errors began to creep into her work and knocking the ball into the net saw a break handed back to Svitolina. The Pole again appeared to restore her ascendancy when Svitolina returned a forehand too long and Swiatek went up a break once more.

Results: Men: J Sinner bt R Safiullin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Women: E Svitolina bt I Swiatek 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2; J Pegula lost to M Vondrousova 4-6, 6-2, 4-6