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Diaranson 7 Juli 2021

2018 champion Kerber vs. No. 1 Barty in Wimbledon semifinals

faced. plished of the women left in
“Everything today was work- the draw as Tuesday began.
ing quite well,” said Pliskova,
who averaged 106.5 mph on And now she’s into her
her first serves, 20.5 mph eighth Grand Slam semifinal,
faster than Golubic. with half coming at Wimble-
don. The most recent came
Pliskova has been broken three years ago, when she
only three times through five upset Serena Williams for the
matches so far and has not championship.
dropped a set.
Kerber extended her cur-
She also hasn’t played anyone rent winning streak to 10
ranked better than 47th yet. matches, including a title at
a grass-court tuneup in Ger-
Now comes a test. many last month, and her
first-round exits on the Aus-
Jabeur’s game is full of nov- tralian Open’s hard courts in
elty and nuance, with drop February and French Open’s
shots and all manner of an- red clay in May seem like for-
gles and spin. ever ago.

Sabalenka? She is all about “I never stopped to believe in
power and big cuts at the ball, myself (and) how I can play,”
and even with that constantly said Kerber, like Pliskova a
aggressive style, she managed former No. 1.
to accumulate more winners,
27, than unforced errors, 20. Kerber’s game bothered
Muchova the same way it
(AP) — When Angelique ny, who did let loose by shak- The other semifinal is No. 2 “She played,” Tunisia’s Ja- troubled 17-year-old Ameri-
Kerber grabbed the open- ing her fists when her victory seed Aryna Sabalenka against beur said, “the match of her can Coco Gauff in the fourth
ing set of her Wimbledon ended. “I know how to play No. 8 Karolina Pliskova. life.” round — with shots steered
quarterfinal Tuesday, the on (a) grass court.” so quickly, low to the ground
full-capacity crowd sa- Sabalenka collected her tour- Sabalenka, a 23-year-old and flat.
luted the accomplishment Next, No. 25 seed Kerber leading 34th match win of from Belarus, hadn’t been
with cheers that bounced takes on No. 1 Ash Barty, 2021 by defeating No. 21 past the fourth round at any “She plays good angles. It was
off the closed roof at No. who eliminated 75th-ranked seed Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-3, and major previously. a great match from her side,”
1 Court. Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 6-3 in Pliskova topped unseeded said Muchova, who draped a
the first all-Australian major Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-2. But she agreed hers was a towel over her head while sit-
Kerber’s reaction? Just a quarterfinal in 40 years. “great performance.” ting during changeovers. “So,
matter-of-fact, straight-faced This was the first day of 100% definitely, didn’t help me.”
stroll to the sideline. No “It’s the ultimate test,” Barty capacity in the two main sta- “I still have this opportunity
shouts or leaps or fist pumps. said, looking ahead to Thurs- diums after COVID-19 re- to win a Slam,” Sabalenka Kerber only compiled 15
Unlike the other women day’s matchup. “Angie’s ob- strictions placed a 50% cap said. “I will do everything I winners, but that was enough
headed to the semifinals at viously had success here be- on attendance when the fort- can to reach my goal.” because she limited Mucho-
the All England Club, this is fore.” night began. With rain falling va to just two forehand win-
not new to her. Not at all. It’s much of the afternoon, the In the day’s lone men’s ners herself — compared to
just that it’s been a while. Barty won the 2019 French singles matches were played match, No. 14 seed Hubert a combined 33 unforced or
Open, but she had never at Centre Court and No. 1 Hurkacz came back to edge forced errors with that stroke.
The owner of three Grand been to the quarterfinals at Court with the roofs shut No. 2 Daniil Medvedev
Slam titles, including at the All England Club. In- and spectators allowed to be 2-6, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Muchova appeared to give
Wimbledon in 2018, Kerber deed, this was the first time maskless — the All England the resumption of a fourth- herself at least the possibil-
moved back into the final in the Open era, which began Club says the arena’s ventila- rounder contest suspended ity of turning things around
four at the grass-court major in 1968, that the tournament tion systems allow them to be Monday night. by breaking to lead 2-1 in
by using her knee-to-the- had six first-time women’s considered outdoor venues. the second set. But Kerber,
turf agility and quick reflexes quarterfinalists. Hurkacz’s first Grand Slam so steady if not spectacu-
to beat No. 19 seed Karolina Pliskova — the 2016 U.S. quarterfinal will come against lar, broke right back when
Muchova 6-2, 6-3. Only Kerber and Muchova, Open runner-up to Kerber 20-time major champion Muchova sent a forehand
who also lost at this stage in — claimed 24 of 26 points Roger Federer on Wednesday. long to cap a 13-stroke ex-
“I remember how I played 2019, boasted past experi- on her serve in one stretch, change.
here,” said Kerber, a 33-year- ence. hit eight aces and saved the Kerber was certainly the best
old left-hander from Germa- only three break chances she known and most accom- That was pretty much that.

Bucks upgrade Giannis to questionable for

NBA Finals opener

(AP) — The Milwaukee MVP can return from a hy- final two games of that series.
Bucks have upgraded Gi- perextended left knee to face Coach Mike Budenholzer
annis Antetokounmpo’s the Phoenix Suns. said Monday that Antetok-
status to questionable for ounmpo was doing work on
Game 1 of the NBA Finals Antetokounmpo was injured the court and making prog-
on Tuesday night. in Game 4 of the Eastern ress in his recovery, but pro-
Conference finals when he vided no other details. The
The change in the injury re- landed after leaping to de- Bucks then listed Antetok-
port Tuesday afternoon gives fend a lob pass to Atlanta’s ounmpo as doubtful in the
more hope that the two-time Clint Capela. He missed the injury report later in the day.