Iga Swiatek swept aside Belinda Bencic on Thursday to set up a Wimbledon final clash with Amanda Anisimova.
The Pole has been growing in confidence on grass all fortnight and was calmness personified in a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Bencic that lasted just 72 minutes.
• Follow live updates from Wimbledon as men’s semi-finals loom
It would have been even quicker but for a lengthy delay three games into the contest when, for a third time on Centre Court on Thursday, a spectator was taken unwell.
All the heat on the court was coming from the racket of Swiatek, who has somewhat improbably surged back to form on the lawns in SW19.
It was, by her exceedingly lofty standards, a torrid campaign on her favoured clay for the 24-year-old, but a run to the final of the grass-court tournament in Bad Homburg on the eve of Wimbledon appears to have been the catalyst.
That was the first final Swiatek had reached at any level since winning her fifth grand-slam title at the French Open last spring, and now she is only one match away from matching Carlos Alcaraz by winning major trophies on each surface.
She said on court: “Honestly, I never even dreamt it was going to be possible for me to play in the final.
“I’m just super excited. I thought I experienced everything on the court, but I didn’t experience playing well on grass. I feel confident and I’m just going for it. For sure it’s working.”
Given her extra experience at the latter stages of slams, and the fact she is yet to lose a final, she will go in as the favourite against Anisimova, who nevertheless will bring a lot more firepower than Bencic.
Swiss Bencic has had a superb fortnight and will return to the top 20 on Monday, fewer than nine months after returning to the tour following the birth of daughter Bella last April.
She was on the back foot from the start here, though, as Swiatek began with purpose and seized on the underpowered serve of her opponent.
The hot weather has resulted in hard, bouncy courts, and they have certainly been to the Pole’s liking, with Swiatek converting a 3-0 lead into a straightforward first set.
She wobbled slightly at the start of the second, serving two double faults, but Bencic could not take advantage, and Swiatek swiftly set about turning a first Wimbledon semi-final into a maiden final.
Aryna Sabalenka, fainting fans, and a fall at a familiar hurdle
Sabalenka gives water to Wimbledon spectators amid sweltering conditions
Wimbledon Day 12 Prediction & Men’s Semi-Final Best Bets
Wimbledon 2025 live: Djokovic an injury doubt after Swiatek thrashes Bencic
Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner start time: Wimbledon men’s semi-finals schedule
