They played each other once before, in the Doha quarters earlier this year, and Svitolina won that contest. This is the first Wimbledon main draw experience for Muchova.
Muchova served first and was broken straight away. Seemingly unperturbed, the Czech player won the next eight points, including a love game to break Svitolina back. The lead was 2-1. A high Muchova backhand volley was followed by a wonderful reflex cross court forehand winner. Two break points arrived when Svitolina hit a backhand wide. A backhand into the net and a second break of the Ukraine serve saw Muchova ahead 3-1.
Four service holds later, Muchova was serving for the set at 5-3. A missed Czech backhand and lucky Svitolina net cord made it 0-30. A Muchova forehand winner was followed by a failed shot from the same side and two break points were available to Svitolina. Only one needed, as Muchova found the net with a backhand. Back on serve, Muchova ahead 5-4.
At 5-5, Muchova went to the line, unaware that she was about to participate in the longest game of the match. A double fault brought it to deuce. A netted forehand produced the first break point of the game to Svitolina. That and three others were saved. A fifth chance was created by a backhand pass, and a forehand miss from Muchova ended the enthralling game.
Svitolina served for the set at 6-5, and a volley winner put her up 30-0. Two set points after a forehand winner. A forehand volley sealed the set 7-5 for the eighth seed.
Five of the first eight games in set two went to the receiver, and at the end of all that Svitolina led 5-3. Muchova held on grimly and forced Svitolina to hold to win the match.
At 5-4, good racquet work at the net by Svitolina and a poor backhand from Muchova brought the score to 30-15. A sensational Muchova stretch backhand volley and 30-30. Svitolina avoided the possibile danger with a touch backhand causing trouble for Muchova. Match point was converted once a solid serve didn’t make it back over the net.
Elina Svitolina won 7-5 6-4, and is a Wimbledon semi finalist for the first time.
Other quarter final results
Serena Williams (11) defeated Alison Riske 6-4 4-6 6-3
Barbora Strycova defeated Johanna Konta (19) 7-6(5) 6-1
Simona Halep (7) defeated Zhang Shuai 7-6(4) 6-1
Semi,final match ups
Serena Williams (11) v Barbora Strycova
Elina Svitolina (8) v Simona Halep (7)
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