Swiss Belinda Bencic, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, Kazakh Elena Rybakina, and Czech Marketa Vondroussova qualified for the semifinals of the women’s tennis tournament at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and will compete for the medals.
Belinda Bencic won in three sets over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of the Russian Olympic Committee – 6:0, 3;6, 6:3. In the first set, the Swiss smashed her Russian rival, but Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova did not give up and won, reaching the third set. In it, Belinda Bencic broke in the first game, and then took the lead with 3:1, 4:2, tried again for 5:3, and took the match at her serve.
In the other of the quarterfinals, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina won in two sets (6:4; 6:4) over the Italian Camila Giorgi. The Ukrainian played sparingly, making only two breaks against one of the Italian, but they were enough to close the match in an hour and 31 minutes.
In the next match, Kazakh Elena Rybakina created the surprise, winning relatively easily 7:5, 6;1 over the No 7 Spaniard Garbine Mugurusa. Elena Rybakina made a total of three breaks against none of her rival, which was enough for success.
The victory of the Czech Marketa Vondroussova over the Spaniard Paula Badosa was the easiest. The Czech, who defeated Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the previous round, made three breaks to win the first set with a comfortable 6:3. However, the Spaniard gave up due to heatstroke, as she could not withstand the temperature of 31 degrees, but also 65% humidity, which makes her feel like 40 degrees. Thus, she gave up the mixed doubles match with Pablo Carreno Busta and France continues.
In the semifinals, Belinda Bencic will face Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina and the surprise Marketa Vondroussova, who is the freshest of all tennis players, will argue for a place in the final in the other match.
