Wimbledon: Svitolina breaks new ground, sets up Halep semifinal

Karolina Muchova's run at Wimbledon came to an end as she succumbed to Elina Svitolina at the quarterfinal stage.

Elina Svitolina became the first Ukrainian to reach Wimbledon semifinals.

Elina Svitolina progressed through to her first grand slam semi-final as she ended Karolina Muchova's Wimbledon run with a 7-5 6-4 triumph.

Having shocked third-seed Karolina Pliskova in the round of 16, Muchova made a fine start on No.1 Court, racing to a 5-2 lead in the opening set.

But her inexperience was exposed as Svitolina moved through the gears to come from behind and claim the first set, then reeling off a five-game winning streak to start the second.

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And despite a late charge from Muchova, Svitolina regained her composure to serve out for victory with an ace, setting up a last-four clash with Simona Halep.

First Ukrainian woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final #Wimbledon | @ElinaSvitolinapic.twitter.com/Ib9tfiqs6A

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2019

Svitolina started well with a break in the first game, but Muchova swiftly rallied, breaking twice herself before holding serve to surge 5-2 in front.

The world number eight clawed her way back into the contest and after breaking in the ninth game, held in the next to draw level at 5-5.

An epic game followed, with Svitolina finally coming out on top when she converted a fifth break-point opportunity after 12 minutes of absorbing play between the pair, with a slack overhead from Muchova then handing the Ukrainian the set.

Svitolina found herself 2-0 down in the second set, but immediately got her revenge in the next game before clawing back two break points to hold.

A weary Muchova shot handed the eighth seed the advantage, and the 22-year-old found herself 4-2 down when she sent a weak effort into the net from the baseline.

Another break followed, but Muchova – aided by the memories of her win over Pliskova from a similarly perilous position – stalled her opponent's progress.

However, Muchova's resistance was finally ended when, after she won a wonderful point with a sublime backhand volley, she failed to return a powerful serve to the corner.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Elina Svitolina [8] bt Karolina Muchova 7-5 6-4

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Svitolina – 24/16
Muchova – 34/31

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Svitolina – 2/1
Muchova – 0/1

BREAK POINTS WON
Svitolina – 6/11
Muchova – 4/6

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Svitolina - 55
Muchova - 66

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Svitolina – 59/47
Muchova – 52/46

TOTAL POINTS
Svitolina - 71
Muchova - 66