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Kostyuk powers past Paolini to continue sensational streak

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Marta Kostyuk powered past former finalist Jasmine Paolini to continue her sensational streak of form and reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

It took the Ukrainian just 69 minutes to defeat Paolini 6-3 6-2, producing a dominant performance in her first career appearance on Centre Court.

Kostyuk did not even offer up a single break-point opportunity to Paolini, who was completely outmatched in Wednesday's quarter-final clash.

In-form Kostyuk broke twice in each set to make it a remarkable 21 victories from her last 22 matches, with her only defeat in that spell coming in the French Open semi-finals.

She won 19 of 21 points on her first serve and was superb at the net, winning 10 of 12 such points as Paolini struggled to make any inroads.

Kostyuk will now take on Linda Noskova in the semi-finals on Thursday, after the Czech defeated Elise Mertens on Court One.

Kostyuk matches Svitolina feat

Victory means Kostyuk has equalled the best Open Era result achieved by a Ukrainian in singles play at Wimbledon, matching the two semi-final berths achieved by Elina Svitolina in 2019 and 2023.

With 10 wins at grand slams in 2026, she has already reached her highest total of major wins in a calendar year – with up to two more still possible at Wimbledon, and the US Open still to come.

It has been a remarkable breakthrough for Kostyuk over recent months.

Her two consecutive semi-final appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon come after she was unable to reach the last-four stage in any of her first 24 appearances in grand slam main draws.

As for Paolini, while she will have been disappointed not to be more competitive in this match, a run to the last eight still represented a welcome return to form after a difficult year to date.

This tournament saw her record a statement fourth-round win over rising star Alexandra Eala on Centre Court, an outcome which looked unlikely when she made an inauspicious start to her round-one match against American Robin Montgomery.

In making it to this stage, Paolini became the first player to reach a quarter-final in the Wimbledon women’s singles, having lost her opening set at the event with a 6-0 scoreline since Mima Jausovec in 1981.