Submission Soldiers: how Russians perform at the crucial stage of Wimbledon

For the first time since 2005, four Russians reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon at once (Anastasia Myskina, Nadezhda Petrova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maria Sharapova played at this stage 20 years ago). Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who was not among the "seeded", could not reach the semifinals, losing in a hard fight to American Amanda Anisimova. On Wednesday, July 9, Mirra Andreeva (competing against Olympic champion Belinda Bencic from Switzerland) and Lyudmila Samsonova, who will play four—time Grand Slam champion Iga Sventek, will compete for entry into this stage. But there are no Russians left in the men's bracket. Karen Khachanov was the last to leave the tournament, losing to world number five Taylor Fritz.

In the footsteps of Mary

Mirra Andreeva reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time and became the youngest participant in this stage in the last 20 years, since compatriot Maria Sharapova in 2005 (18 years and 62 days — both at the start of the tournament). The Russian unexpectedly easily got rid of Emma Navarro, who had previously lost only one set to strong tennis players in London.

Emma won the opening game on a straight line, and then there was the total domination of Mirra. And for that, she didn't have to do any incredible things. She played second, but Emma made a lot of mistakes from the backhand. The Russian quickly led with a break, and the fate of the opening set was decided in the fifth game. Andreeva withstood the onslaught on the back line and quickly launched a counterattack, hitting the line well a couple of times. Mirra got a double break point and immediately realized the advantage. Losing with two breaks, Navarro accepted the lost game, finishing it in economy mode.

Attempts to save her strength for the rest of the match did not help the American. In the second game, her opponent continued to execute cut shots from the back line, and Emma hit the outs. As a result, there were two given breaks at the start. However, Mirra also had problems with the first serve, and with the second Navarro created serious problems for her. The American made her first break in the match, and in the fourth game she earned three break points, but Andreeva coolly won them back, opening the way to victory (3:1).

Navarro then conceded another serve on a long "deuce", and it seemed that the match was moving towards the end. However, Navarro unexpectedly took the fifth game to zero. Andreeva showed her boxing that she was not very comfortable playing on the sunny side. However, Mirra still had one break left, and she spent the end as collected as possible, winning eight draws in a row. First, she took her serve to zero, making a couple of beautiful winners, and then she performed brilliantly at the reception.

Andreeva beat a top-10 opponent for the tenth time in her career and reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the third time in her career. She has previously reached this stage twice at Roland Garros (2024, 2025). Mirra continues to play with Ekaterina Alexandrova's abuser Belinda Bencic.

To the asset

Lyudmila Samsonova will have a meeting with Iga Sventek. Lyudmila has not lost a single set in London so far, but even this is unlikely to help her in the confrontation with Sventek. In a personal confrontation, the Polish tennis player leads 4-0, plus Samsonova lost a lot of strength in the 1/8 finals match with Jessica Bousas Maneiro. Therefore, we can only believe in a miracle. But in the confrontation between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Amanda Anisimova, the chances were 50-50.

Although Anisimova won the first game (6-1), Pavlyuchenkova was not going to give up. At the beginning of the second game, she finally began to demonstrate her signature tennis. Nevertheless, with the score 3-2, Anisimova made a break, and then took her serve. Amanda was one game away from victory. In this difficult situation, Pavlyuchenkova mastered her nerves, won back the serve for the match and was able to bring the matter to a tie-break.

And then the emotional swing began. The scales were tipping one way, then the other. The Russian did not use five set points, but Anisimova won from the fourth matchball, collapsing on the grass from happiness. For reaching the final of the tournament, Amanda will compete with Belarusian world number one Arina Sobolenko, who, in turn, beat 37-year-old Laura Siegemund in more than three hours.

Pavlyuchenkova lost the ninth of ten quarterfinals at Grand Slam tournaments. At this stage, she won only one meeting, at Roland Garros 2019. Nevertheless, we must pay tribute to our Olympic champion — she performed much better than expected at Wimbledon. In two matches, the 50th racket of the world was listed as an underdog - against Naomi Osaka and Sonai Kartal, but still passed on. Anastasia can definitely add this major to her asset in London (she will immediately add 20 positions in Pavlyuchenkov's rating and return to the top 30).

A worthy struggle

Karen Khachanov's performance at this Wimbledon was extremely proud. In the fourth round, he confidently beat Kamil Maikhshak. The Russian was stable on his serve and played powerfully on the back line, not allowing his opponent to make a single break point. Earlier, Karen beat Nuno Borges, Shintaro Mochizuka and Mackenzie McDonald in the tournament bracket. These three matches were united by the fact that Khachanov had been fighting for a long time. And if this did not affect the final result with less top-ranked opponents, then in the match with Fritz, the fifth racket of the world, this, unfortunately, became the most important factor.

In the opening two games, the Russian won only seven draws at the reception. At the same time, Fritz was not perfect. For example, in the second set he served only 48% of the first ball. Karen made mistakes in easy situations and was clearly squeezed. He relaxed only after 0:2 games.

Khachanov played uninhibitedly, made perfect shots and took advantage of the opponent's mistakes perfectly. Already at the start of the third set, he reached his first tie-breaks and was able to lead the score (2:0). Taylor seemed to have been replaced at that moment. After only 15 minutes, the American was losing with a score of 0:5, having won a number of draws. In the sixth game, Fritz managed to get away from the steering wheel, but Khachanov immediately cleared all questions about the winner of the game by serving at zero.

During the break, Fritz called the physiotherapist to the court. Apparently, his calluses were bothering him. After 10 minutes, the game resumed, but its pattern did not change. Khachanov caught the courage and instantly earned a double break point. And after Taylor's mistake, he made a break. He then consolidated his advantage and was very close to leading 3-0. But Taylor still saved his serve and literally rose from the ashes. Yes, the American was not moving so confidently, but he almost stopped making mistakes. This allowed him not only to make a reverse break, but also to take three games in a row. After that, the tennis players took their serves (Fritz was more confident), and it came to a tie-break.

Fritz started it with three aces in a row and a brilliant reception (4-1). Khachanov responded with a straight serve, and then was able to brilliantly beat his opponent at the net (4:4). Taylor served straight again (5-4). The next draw was decisive, when the American scored a magnificent cut shot that allowed him to earn two match points. And Fritz did not provide any more chances for salvation.

As a result, Karen leaves Wimbledon. He fought until the last ball, added intrigue after two lost sets, but failed to accomplish the feat. Fritz is reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon for the first time, where he will play against the winner of the Carlos Alcaraz — Cameron Norrie match.