Russian-born star reaches Wimbledon semi-finals after switching allegiances

Russian-born Elena Rybakina became the first Kazakhstani tennis star to reach a major semi-final after she booked her place in the final four at Wimbledon.

Rybakina came from a set down to defeat unseeded Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Court One. It means the 23-year-old, who was born in Moscow, has become the first male or female player from Kazakhstan to reach the semi-final of a Grand Slam.

Rybakina moved federations four years ago after Kazakhstan offered her financial incentives to switch. It has proved to be success as she continues to break records of her adopted country, breaking new ground for the nation and doing so at Wimbledon.

Elena Rybakina was born in Russia and grew up in the country before switching to the Kazakhstan federation four years ago (PA)

Her overall victory at Wimbledon is certainly going to be an unwanted scenario within the All England Club, after the body opted to ban players from Russia and Belarus amid Vladimir Putin ’s military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Organisers feared their success could be used as part of Putin’s propaganda, with state broadcaster Russia Today already celebrating Rybakina’s achievement.

Rybakina’s timely switch in national allegiances ensured she circumnavigated the ban, but officials will surely still not want a player born and raised in Russia lifting the iconic Wimbledon women’s singles trophy. She will face 2019 champion Simona Halep in the semi-finals on Thursday.

While Rybakina will surely be the underdog in her maiden major semi-final, she has shown guts in her run to this late stage. The Kazakhstani star had to come back from a set down to defeat Tomljanovic on Wednesday after losing the first set before fighting back to dominate.

Elena Rybakina admirably fought from a set down to defeat Ajla Tomljanovic in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Wednesday (Getty Images)

Do you think Elena Rybakina can become the first tennis star from Kazakhstan to win a major by triumphing at Wimbledon? Let us know in the comments section.

She secured her win with an ace, and said: “It is amazing and I am really happy that I got to the semi-final. I started slow and didn’t serve that well.

“Maybe I was nervous. But I found my way in the end. I want to say thanks to the people who came and supported us, it was a great atmosphere.

“I have played Simona a few times and they have been tough battles. I will try to do my best.”