As Wimbledon 2025 delivers electrifying tennis action, one of the tournament’s most anticipated semifinals is set to unfold, with Poland’s Iga Swiatek facing off against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic on Centre Court on July 10. Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, secured her first Wimbledon semifinal with a commanding victory over Liudmila Samsonova, while Bencic, a former world number four, marked her return from maternity leave with a dramatic win over Mirra Andreeva. Ahead of their clash, Swiatek has expressed profound admiration for Bencic, particularly for her remarkable comeback as a new mother, adding an emotional layer to this battle between two players chasing their first Wimbledon final.
## Swiatek’s Grass-Court Breakthrough
Iga Swiatek, currently ranked world number eight, has long dominated on clay and hard courts, boasting four French Open titles and a US Open crown. However, the grass courts of Wimbledon have historically posed a challenge for the 24-year-old Pole. Until this year, her best result was a quarterfinal in 2023, but in 2025, she has finally cracked the code. Her 6-2, 7-5 victory over 19th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova in the quarterfinals showcased her growing comfort on the fast surface. “Even though I’m in the middle of the tournament, I already got goosebumps after this win,” Swiatek said, radiating excitement. “I’m super happy and proud of myself.”
The match against Samsonova began as a one-sided affair, with Swiatek dominating the first set and leading 3-0 in the second. But Samsonova fought back, leveling the score at 4-4 before Swiatek held serve and broke to clinch the match at 6-5. “I’ve really worked hard to make progress on this surface,” she said, reflecting on her evolution. Her ability to win 70% of her first-serve points and convert 63% of her break-point opportunities underscores her rising confidence on grass. After the win, Swiatek was seen packing Wimbledon-branded towels into her bag and playfully shushing the camera, a sign of her buoyant mood.
## Bencic’s Inspiring Comeback
On the other side of the net stands Belinda Bencic, whose journey to the Wimbledon semifinals is nothing short of extraordinary. The 28-year-old Swiss star, who gave birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024, returned to the tour in October of the same year after maternity leave. Her victory over seventh-seeded Mirra Andreeva, 7-6(3), 7-6(2), in the quarterfinals marked her second Grand Slam semifinal and her first at Wimbledon. “It’s crazy. It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true,” Bencic said, nearly speechless after her win. Her precise serving and unorthodox groundstrokes kept Andreeva at bay, though she faltered briefly, losing her serve at 5-4 in the second set before sealing the victory in a tiebreak.
Bencic’s journey has been steeped in emotion. As the first Swiss woman to reach a Wimbledon semifinal since Martina Hingis in 1998 and the first mother to do so since Elina Svitolina in 2023, she has inspired countless fans. “I’m very proud. Throughout my whole career, I haven’t said that to myself that much, but since Bella, I say it every day,” she told the crowd. Her daughter Bella, who travels with her and her partner, Martin Hromkovic, has been a source of joy. “Sometimes you realize: ‘Wow, I’m playing Wimbledon, I have my family here, my daughter watching,’” Bencic said, describing the “surreal” experience of having Bella along for the ride.
## Swiatek’s Classy Tribute
Ahead of their semifinal, Swiatek paid tribute to Bencic’s remarkable comeback. “So much respect. I can only imagine how tough it is to come back after a pregnancy,” she said during her post-match press conference. She noted that they practiced together at the season’s opening event, the United Cup, where Bencic already showed signs of regaining her rhythm. “She already seemed ready to come back, but obviously she needed time to play some matches and plan carefully after such a break,” Swiatek added. “I never doubted that she could come back.” These words highlight Swiatek’s admiration for Bencic’s strength and determination as both an athlete and a mother.
Bencic, in turn, expressed excitement for the challenge. “She’s a big challenge, and I’m really excited to play her,” she said of Swiatek. “We’ve had some close matches. I’ll come up with a game plan.” Bencic revealed that she visualizes her match strategies before falling asleep, a method that helps her prepare subconsciously. Her ability to take the ball early and disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm could prove crucial on grass, where her playing style thrives.
## A Thrilling Semifinal Showdown
Swiatek leads their head-to-head 3-1, including a dramatic three-set win in the fourth round of Wimbledon 2023. Bencic’s lone victory came at the 2021 US Open, proving she can challenge Swiatek on big stages. The match, scheduled for 9:40 a.m. ET on July 10, is expected to be a tactical battle, with Swiatek’s baseline dominance pitted against Bencic’s precision and ability to exploit grass’s speed. The winner will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Amanda Anisimova in the final, making this clash all the more pivotal.
Swiatek’s pursuit of her first title in 2025 and Bencic’s inspiring comeback as a mother set the stage for an emotionally charged and fiercely competitive semifinal. “I just want to recover today, not celebrate too much, but already focus on the next one,” Swiatek said, signaling her determination. Bencic, balancing motherhood and tennis, added, “I see myself as a mom first and then a tennis player. My priorities are clearly with my family.” Regardless of the outcome, this matchup promises to be a highlight of Wimbledon 2025, where two players with unique stories vie for a place in history.
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