Wimbledon briefing: Day 10 recap and order of play for…

Wimbledon briefing: Day 10 recap and order of play for women’s semi-finals

Amanda Anisimova, Aryna Sabalenka, Belinda Bencic and Iga Swiatek (PA) -

Novak Djokovic reached yet another Wimbledon semi-final while Iga Swiatek finally broke through her grass ceiling on Wednesday.

The women’s semi-finals take place on Thursday with Aryna Sabalenka taking on Amanda Anisimova and Swiatek battling Belinda Bencic.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at Wednesday’s action and previews day 11 of the Championships.

Djokovic sets up Sinner clash

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory over Flavio Cobolli (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)

Novak Djokovic reached a men’s record 14th Wimbledon semi-final by overcoming the spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6) 6-2 7-5 6-4.

He will next face world number one Jannik Sinner, who shrugged off any concerns about his injured elbow as he dismantled Ben Shelton in straight sets.

Carlos Alcaraz is the only player to beat Djokovic at Wimbledon since 2017 but, while Sinner has lost both their previous meetings at the All England Club, the Italian has knocked the 24-time grand slam champion out of semi-finals at the Australian Open and French Open.

Swiatek’s grass breakthrough

Iga Swiatek is through to the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

Iga Swiatek smashed through her grass ceiling as she made the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.

The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One to complete the set of grand slam last-four appearances.

She will next face 2021 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who ended the teenage dreams of Mirra Andreeva to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final in her first year back in SW19 following the birth of daughter Bella in April 2024.

Brit watch

Joe Salisbury and Luisa Stefani are in the mixed doubles final (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)

Britain’s Joe Salisbury will bid for a seventh grand slam title when he teams up with Brazilian Luisa Stefani in the mixed doubles final on Thursday.

The pair, who will take on Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands and Czech Katerina Siniakova, only entered at the last minute after Salisbury’s original partner, Jodie Burrage, suffered an ankle injury.

Salisbury has trophies from all the other slams across men’s and mixed doubles but is yet to lift silverware at Wimbledon.

“It would be amazing,” he said. “For me it’s the main one. To win Wimbledon is the biggest tournament.”

Match of the day

Aryna Sabalenka came through a gruelling quarter-final clash (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from reaching the final of a fourth straight grand slam but her first at Wimbledon.

The three-time major winner must overcome a player who holds a winning record against her in Thursday’s first semi-final.

Amanda Anisimova has been victorious in five of their eight meetings, but has never reached the final of a grand slam.

The big-hitting duo are sure to provide plenty of thrills in the first match on Centre Court.

Order of play

Centre Court (from 1.30pm)Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Amanda Anisimova (13)Iga Swiatek (8) v Belinda BencicSalisbury/Stefani v Verbeek/Siniakova (mixed doubles final)

Court One (from 1pm)Arevalo/Pavic (1) v Hijikata/Pel (men’s doubles)Cash/Glasspool (5) v Granollers/Zeballos (4) (men’s doubles)Hewett/Reid v Caverzaschi/Oda (wheelchair doubles)