Marta Kostyuk fulfilled a dream as she played and won her first Wimbledon match on Centre Court on Wednesday, reaching a breakthrough semi-final 6-3, 6-2 over Jasmine Paolini.

The 13th-ranked Ukrainian duplicated the defeat of compatriot Elina Svitolina who reached the final four here in 2019 and 2023.

Kostyuk said she she got slightly acquainted with the iconic high temple of tennis the day before and had only once sat in the stands nine years ago during a Roger Federer match.

“Hello Centre Court,” the winner said. “This is my first time playing on this unbelievable court. It’s a dream coming true to win – that was not in the plans.”

Kostyuk, winner of 21 of her last 22 matches, reached a second consecutive Grand Slam semi after a similar final four showing last month at Roland Garros.

“My coach made me walk the court yesterday. I was flabbergasted by what I saw. I took a moment to soak it all in.

“I’m so happy to be back here as a player.”

Kostyuk earned her 69-minute victory in 32 Celsius heatwave temperatures. “I’m sure people in London are happy with the weather, but not us here on court,” she said.

“I have to come back and play on Thursday but I’m excited about that.”

Kostyuk finished with 19 winners and the same number of unforced errors as she broke 2024 finalist Paolini four times while never facing one herself.

She will bid for the final with a semi against 21-year-old Czech Linda Noskova, who defeated veteran Belgian Elise Mertens  6-3, 7-5.

Noskova, ranked 12th, showed few nerves as she won her 11th grass match of a dozen played this summer.

The winner becomes the youngest Wimbledon semi-finalist since Jelena Ostapenko in 2018.

She owns June’s grass title in Berlin, second trophy performance of her career and claimed doubles honours for good measure.

Noskova clinched victory as Mertens put a return out on the first of three Czech match points.

The winner said that overcoming pre-match nerves always helps her to pay better.

“When I’m feeling pressure it helps me to play my best. The nerves mean that I care a lot.”

Noskova swept the opening set and earned a break for 6-5 before serving out the quarter-final. 

“I fought through some mistakes in the second set,” she said. “I could have been angry about them but I was playing really well at the end of both sets.    

“That’s what won me the match.”

Kostyuk won the pair’s only match, played last spring in the Madrid quarter-finals.

Main photo:- Marta Kostyuk winning quarter final wearing a tennis dress based on her Wedding dress -by Roger Parker/International Sports Fotos Ltd

Paula Badosa threw tennis ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas under the bus after a Berlin match win, saying the traces relationship had her considering just quitting her sport.

Badosa reached the quarter-finals of the WTA Berlin pre-Wimbledon event and took the opportunity to unload on Greek Tsitsipas, whose game has gone into a major slump from his former top 10 standing to a dismal 80th on the ATP computer.

“You can have an excellent relationship with an ex, because they are normal people and the relationship remains normal,” the No. 142 said. 

“But when that’s not the case… I don’t need to say more. Every day we see the other person making things more complicated.

“When there are toxic things around you, everything becomes much more difficult than a normal breakup.” 

The New York-born 28-year-old Spaniard who once reached second in the world, said worrying about the relationship and its bitter end gave her pause to consider packing in her career due both in her personal life and a run of mainly

 back injuries  which contributed to her rankings plunge.

“After Madrid (late April) I had to stop (until last week); mentally it was too much for me. I couldn’t find a way to see a light (at the end of the tunnel).

“A year ago, I was in the top 10, and seeing where I am now isn’t easy. That’s the professional side. 

“On the personal side, the process hasn’t been easy either, trying to clear a lot of things from my life.”

 “I’ve been in a good environment for a few months, but getting past the toxic things around me wasn’t easy. 

“But it’s something you have to go through as a woman, and I’m feeling strong again.”

Main photo:- Badosa and Tsitsipas in happier days.

Andre Agassi is keen to unravel the mystery of the alleged wrist injury which has kept Carlos Alcaraz off court for nearly two months.

The 56-year-old Agassi asked the hard question during a tennis podcast, suggesting that the Spaniard owed the world an explanation on what is actually bothering him.

Alcaraz has not competed since April 14 in Barcelona, a day before handing in a second-round injury walkover, reportedly with a wrist problem

“It would be really helpful if he or someone close to him could clearly explain the exact nature of his injury, because at this point we can only speculate,” Agassi said.

Since his spring home pullout on home clay, Alcaraz has missed the Madrid and Rome Masters plus Roland Garros.

He is also out for Queen’s and Wimbledon with his availability for the North American summer hardcourt run a complete mystery.

“If it’s a form of tendonitis, is it a specific inflammation like dorsal capsulitis or a carpal tunnel syndrome-type issue? What exactly are we talking about, and what are the treatment options? I don’t know precisely what he has,” Agassi said.

The former world No. 1 American added: “If he only needs to manage pain or inflammation and opts for conservative treatment before considering surgery, then it’s a smart decision, even if it means missing some Grand Slam tournaments.

“If the situation is more serious and requires more complex interventions, the right decisions must be made very carefully, and the best specialists must be consulted. It is essential to allow the injury time to heal properly, because he still has many years of his career ahead of him.”

Despite his growing doubts, Agassi is able to look on the bright side of the situation.

“We could see an even more determined and aggressive Carlos Alcaraz upon his return, provided he manages to solve his only real problem right now.”

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz will miss Wimbledon this year – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd