Round of 16 in Wimbledon: Swiatek continues, Djokovic match interrupted

Round of 16 at Wimbledon
Swiatek continues, Djokovic match interrupted

7/10/2023 1:36 am

In Wimbledon, the world number one Siwatek narrowly survives the round of 16, while the Ukrainian Svitolina retains the upper hand in a politically charged match against Asarenka. For men, the Djokovic match has to be interrupted.

The world number one Iga Swiatek was only able to avert an end in the round of 16 in Wimbledon with a lot of effort. The 22-year-old Pole won 6:7 (4:7), 7:6 (7:2), 6:3 after a hard fight against Swiss Belinda Benic in London on Sunday evening. The French Open winner even had to fend off two match balls from the Olympic tennis champion in the second set. Swiatek converted her first match point after 3:02 hours. The four-time Grand Slam tournament winner is thus in Wimbledon for the first time in the quarterfinals. In the men’s game, the match between defending champion Novak Djokovic and Hubert Hurkacz from Poland was interrupted shortly before midnight.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever fended off a match point and then won in my career,” said Swiatek. “I think I needed this win to feel a little more comfortable on this surface.”

No handshake for Azarenka

Swiatek will face Jelina Switolina in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. The Ukrainian defeated Viktoria Azarenka from Belarus in a high-class match 2:6, 6:4, 7:6 (11:9). After 2:46 hours, Switolina converted her second match point. The 28-year-old then gave up the handshake that is obligatory in tennis. Because of the Russian war of aggression against her homeland, Switolina refuses to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus.

“After the birth of my child, this is the happiest moment of my life,” said Switolina. The Ukrainian is married to French professional Gael Monfils. “I know what this moment means for my people in Ukraine. These are difficult times in Ukraine and I get to play here. It’s indescribable.”

Meanwhile, the Djokovic men still have to wait for the decision on entering the quarterfinals. The defending champion’s round of 16 against Poland’s Hurkacz was interrupted on Sunday evening due to the approaching night’s rest. At this point Djokovic had won the first two sets 7: 6 (8: 6), 7: 6 (8: 6). The encounter will now resume this Monday after the game between Beatriz Haddad Maia from Brazil and Jelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan. At Wimbledon, spectators must be off the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club by 11pm local time.