Belinda Bencic reached a first Wimbledon semi-final as she beat Mirra Andreeva in straight sets on Centre Court.
Seventh seed Andreeva had been the firm favourite, with the 18-year-old up to this point not dropping a set on her impressive run to the quarter-finals.
That came to a halt here, though, as Bencic stepped up in the first set tie-break. The 28-year-old served for the match at 5-4 and was broken, but regrouped in the tie-break that followed to seal a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) victory.
This is only Bencic’s second Grand Slam since missing the majority of last year after giving birth to her daughter. She had never previously made it beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Bencic will now face Iga Swiatek on Thursday as she bids to reach a first Grand Slam final.
"It's crazy, it's unbelievable,” Bencic said.
“It's a dream come true. I tried not to think about it at the match point. I'm just speechless. It is my second Grand Slam semi-final overall and my first at Wimbledon. Just speechless, so happy."
The first set largely passed in a succession of comfortable holds, with Bencic having to save two points to move 6-5 in front but otherwise neither player had any stress on serve.
Bencic raised her level when it matters in the tie-break and the second set then followed a similar pattern, with the pair locked on serve at 4-4.
The first break of the match then went to Bencic, leaving her serving for the match, but Andreeva brought up a break point and converted it to level things up.
A swift hold from Andreeva followed and momentum appeared to be on her side, with Bencic having to battle just to get to a tie-break after the body blow of being broken at such a crucial stage.
But again the better tennis came from her side of the court in the tie-break, Bencic moving 4-1 up and from there she did not relinquish control. Four match points were earned, but only one was needed.
