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A16 SPORTS
Wednesday 12 July 2023
Elina Svitolina has the Ukraine war and her baby in mind as she

beats Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon

By HOWARD FENDRICH Sometimes, she really just
AP Tennis Writer let go of her hand,” Swi-
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) atek said, pantomiming a
— The last time Elina Svito- forehand, “and she played
lina was Grand Slam semi- really, really fast.”
finalist twice, actually, in Novak Djokovic reached
2019 she was pursuing the his 46th Slam semifinal ty-
usual trappings of success ing Roger Federer’s record
in professional sports: tro- for men by defeating No. 7
phies, money, fame, etc. Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-1, 6-4,
Now Svitolina plays for 6-3, and next will face No.
more important reasons. 8 Jannik Sinner. Djokovic is
For her daughter, Skaï, who seeking a fifth consecutive
was born in October. For championship at Wimble-
her country, Ukraine, where don and an eighth overall
a war that began with Rus- numbers that also would
sia’s invasion in February equal Federer and his 24th
2022 continues to this day. career Grand Slam trophy.
And Svitolina firmly believes Sinner made it to his first
that those quite different major semifinal by eliminat-
factors actually do affect ing Roman Safiullin 6-4, 3-6,
the way she swings a rack- 6-2, 6-2.
et and the way she handles “It means a lot me,” Sinner
important moments on a Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina reacts after winning a point against Poland’s Iga Swiatek in a women’s said. “We put a lot of work
tennis court. Enough so singles match on day nine of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, July 11, in many, many hours off
that she is one of the last 2023. Associated Press court, a lot of sacrifice for
four women remaining at this moment.”
Wimbledon after adding to to play again, I have dif- Vondrousova, the 2019 to huddle with her coach. Svitolina certainly did not
her series of surprising victo- ferent pressures,” Svitolina French Open runner-up, None of that helped her expect to still be around
ries over major champions said after kneeling down, beat fourth-seeded Jessica figure out what was wrong this deep into the fortnight.
with a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 vic- then covering her face Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 by grab- with her spin-heavy fore- She originally wasn’t even
tory against No. 1-ranked with her hands, when Swi- bing the last five games af- hand, which accounted for planning to get back in
Iga Swiatek on Tuesday. atek missed one last fore- ter being a point from trail- 57 total errors 28 unforced, action after giving birth
“War made me stronger hand at Centre Court. “Of ing 5-1 in the last set at No. 29 forced and 22 winners. until around now. But she
and also made me mental- course, I want to win. I have 1 Court. Pegula dropped to Swiatek, who was com- and Monfils started work-
ly stronger. Mentally, I don’t this motivation, like huge 0-6 in major quarterfinals. ing off claiming her fourth ing out together on Jan.
take difficult situations as, motivation, to come back “I don’t know what hap- Grand Slam title at the 2, and Svitolina’s progress
like, a disaster, you know? to the top. But I think having pened,” the left-handed French Open last month, was substantial enough
There are worse things in a child and war made me Vondrousova said. felt the change in the way that she altered her time-
life. I’m just more calmer,” a different person. I look at Both women’s matches Svitolina smacked balls line. Good call. She added
said Svitolina, 28, who once the things a bit differently.” Tuesday were interrupted over the Centre Court net. the win against Swiatek to
was ranked as high No. 3 She received a wild-card when rain arrived and the That included a stretch those against seven-time
and now is No. 76 after tak- entry from the All England courts’ roofs were shut so where Svitolina won 20 of major champion Venus Wil-
ing time off to start a fam- Club to get into the field play could continue. Swi- 22 points during a stretch liams in the first round, 2020
ily with her husband, tennis and now will face another atek used the break to ani- that spanned the end of Australian Open winner So-
player Gael Monfils. unseeded player, 42nd- matedly chat with her sports the first set and start of the fia Kenin in the third, and
She only returned to the ranked Marketa Von- psychologist, who was up second. two-time Australian Open
tour three months ago. drousova, for a berth in Sat- in the stands, then headed “She played with more champ Victoria Azarenka
“Also, because I just started urday’s final. toward an off-court lounge freedom and more guts. in the fourth. q

Dusty Baker buys his All-Star coaches blazers after getting them

suits last year

SEATTLE (AP) — Dusty Baker and the All-Star Game are tailor made for each other.
After buying suits for his All-Star coaches last year, Baker purchased sports jackets for
Tuesday night’s game.
“We look like a band this year because we got ‘em all the same blue blazer,” the
74-year-old Houston Astros manager said Monday. “And so the only thing is, as the
leader of the band, I didn’t wear mine. So I just had to let people know I was leader of
the band.”
Baker wore a green and black flannel zippered jacket to Monday’s news conference.
He is managing the American League All-Stars for the second straight year.
Houston lost to Atlanta in the 2021 World Series, then defeated Philadelphia last year for
American League manager Dusty Baker, of the Houston Astros, the title.
smiles during an All-Star Game press conference, Monday, July Phillies manager Rob Thomson was unaware of Baker’s gesture last year.
10, 2023, in Seattle. “So now I feel bad,” Thomson said.q
Associated Press