The awkward moment which happened at the net after Iga Swiatek’s win over Liudmila Samsonova at Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek marches on at Wimbledon, as she qualifies for her first semifinal at SW19.

The Polish star travelled to London with a strong grass-court performance under her belt, as Swiatek reached the final of the Bad Homburg Open, losing out to Jessica Pegula.

Carrying that momentum forward to Wimbledon, the five-time major champion defeated Polina Kudermetova, Caty McNally, Danielle Collins, and Clara Tauson en route to the quarterfinals.

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There, Swiatek met Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who hadn’t dropped a set in any of her opening four matches.

In straight sets, Swiatek beat Samsonova 6-2, 7-5, booking her place in the semifinals, where she’ll play Belinda Bencic.

The match was played in good spirits, although one former WTA star noticed a very awkward moment between the pair at the net.

Annabel Croft noticed Liudmila Samsonova ‘not having any’ of it when Iga Swiatek tried to hug her

Talking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Annabel Croft shared what she saw happen at the net.

“Interestingly, there was a lot of warmth from her [Iga Swiatek] towards her opponent at the net,” she said.

“She went to shake hands, and then I think she was going for a hug, but [Liudmila] Samsonova wasn’t really going to have any of it.

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“She ended up walking away, and she got a pat on the back from [Iga] Swiatek.

“It meant so much to Swiatek, I think she wanted a bit more at the net.”

Former Grand Slam semifinalist Daniela Hantuchova weighed in with her thoughts, as she agreed that Swiatek’s excitement led to the awkward exchange.

“More of a humble celebration from Iga [Swiatek], almost being surprised that she has managed to win this match. I think she still can’t believe that she’s in her first semifinal,” she said.

“So much of grass court success is between the ears and believing that you can be effective on the surface.

“That’s what’s happened to Iga this year, she’s started to think, hold on a second, why should I not be thought of as one of the favorites to go all the way?”

Commenting on the match itself, Croft highlighted the area of Swiatek’s game that was firing on all cylinders during her quarterfinal win.

“There is a difference in the way she’s playing her tennis on grass this year, less vulnerable than she’s looked in previous years,” said Croft.

“She served particularly well today, really nailing her spots, getting some more free points.

Player Aces Double faults 1st Serve % Win % on 1st Serve Win % on 2nd Serve Iga Swiatek 3 3 54% 70% 57% Liudmila Samsonova 0 5 62% 63% 35% Serving stats from Iga Swiatek v Liudmila Samsonova

“There’s always intensity on the court, but the forehand was standing up to it.

“I feel like Samsonova didn’t really challenge that forehand enough and use the weapon that she has, which is the slice backhand.”

Swiatek will no doubt hope to keep the intensity up when she returns to take on Bencic in the semifinals.

Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic’s head-to-head record

The Polish and Swiss stars have played one another four times previously, as Swiatek leads the head-to-head 3-1.

When discussing Swiatek’s two potential semifinal opponents, Bencic and Mirra Andreeva, Croft claimed the 24-year-old would prefer the former.

“It would be more straightforward for her if it were Bencic, because she would like that pace of ball coming through,” she said.

“But even so, Bencic is playing some great tennis as well, so it’s going to be fascinating to see who she does face.”

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Hantuchova argued that both Bencic and Andreeva would be more comfortable matchups for the Pole than Samsonova was in the quarters.

“It’s all about match-ups, whether it’s Andreeva or Bencic, she will have time, she will have time to dictate,” she said.

“I don’t think she will be put under as much pressure as she was today against Samsonova, in a way, she might feel a little bit more comfortable, as far as the pace of the ball.”

Only time will tell who will emerge victorious when Swiatek and Bencic battle it out for a place in the final, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

Swiatek and Bencic will return for their semifinal match on Thursday, July 10.

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