Swiatek uses hard rock inspiration to blast Bencic

Iga Swiatek rocked into a first Wimbledon final on Thursday, with the five-time Grand Slam winner fuelled by riffs from AC-DC, Guns’n’Roses and Led Zeppelin on the way to a 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of Belinda Bencic.

“(Those songs) are only for pre-match,” the Pole said of her match walkout routine. 

“If I listened to them all the time I would not be able to sleep. Off court I’m more pop, jazzy…”

Swiatek will be flying blind when she faces Amanda Anisimova after the American needed more than two and a half hours to upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Swiatek had it all her way against Bencic, who returns to the WTA this season after giving birth in April, 2024 to daughter Bella.

Poland’s former world No. 1 earned victory as she played her ninth semi-final at a major and first here after stalling at the quarter-finals two years ago.

The win over Bencic marked Swiatek’s ninth victory on grass this season, the best showing of a career built mainly on clay and hardcourt. She is into her seventh major final.

The normally self-contained Swiatek sounded excited after claiming her place in the prestige title match as she competes here for the sixth time.

“I never dreamed this would be possible,” the winner said. “I’m just super excited and proud of myself.

“I thought I’d lived through nearly everything on court, but I didn’t expect to be playing so well on grass.

“This is the first time and I’m enjoying it.

“I need to adjust for every match, but I’ve improved my movement, I’m serving well and feeling really confident.

“I’ve been going for it and that’s working – I’ll keep doing that.”

Swiatek swept the opening set in 38 minutes with two breaks of her 28-year-old Swiss opponent. The second set was a mere formality, with Bencic saving a match point before taking the loss on a second. .

Swiatek and Anisimova never played on the WTA but did meet in juniors.

“Amanda is playing amazing tennis, she loves fast surfaces. I’ have to be ready for fast shots, but I’ll be focusing on myself.”