“Second happiest moment in my life” – Svitolina edges Azarenka in thriller to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

In just her second Grand Slam event since becoming a mother, Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina has continues to deliver exceptional results. The Ukrainian eked out a tense 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9) win over Victoria Azarenka to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon at No.1 Court on Sunday evening in London.

The moment was magical, but for Svitolina, it doesn’t quite compare to the birth of her baby girl Skai, who was born last October.

“It’s the second happiest moment in my life,” she said of her win.

The 76th-ranked wild card has reached the quarter-finals of both Grand Slams she has played since returning to the tour in early April. Last month she reached the last eight on the terre battue in Paris, and she has maintained her fine form at Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals in 2019.

The 28-year-old will play Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed who edged Belinda Bencic on Centre Court just minutes before Svitolina finished her conquest of Azarenka, in the last eight.

The Ukrainian won against American wildcard Venus Williams (6-4, 6-3), Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 28 seed (6-1, 1-6, 6-1) and American qualifier Sofia Kenin (7-6 (3), 6-2) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Azarenka, ranked No 20, beat Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan (6-4, 5-7, 6-4), Argentinian Nadia Podoroska (6-3, 6-0) and Russian Daria Kasatkina, the No 11 seed (6-2, 6-4).

London (Grand Slam), other last 16 results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 16.077.000, most recent results first):

• Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Aryna Sabalenka
• Ons Jabeur vs. Petra Kvitova
• Beatriz Haddad Maia vs. Elena Rybakina
• Madison Keys vs. Mirra Andreeva
• Iga Swiatek beat Belinda Bencic (14): 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-3
• Jessica Pegula (4) beat Lesia Tsurenko: 6-1, 6-3
• Marketa Vondrousova beat Marie Bouzkova (32): 2-6, 6-4, 6-3