WIMBLEDON is into its final stages with the women's singles semi finals on today.
Ashleigh Barty faces Angelique Kerber before Karolina Pliskova goes up against Aryna Sabalenka as the top women at SW19 look to make the final.
But the same can't be said for Roger Federer, who has been stunned in straight sets by Poland's 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz.
- TV/ live stream: BBC/BBC iPlayer
Follow ALL of the latest updates below….
? BETTING SPECIAL ?
- TOP TIPS: Wimbledon betting tips and free bets
- BEST BETS: Price boosts for today at Wimbledon
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA 3-2* PLISKOVA
A good hold from the Belarussian with two forehand winners!
We stay on serve.
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA *2-2 PLISKOVA
Saved. Pliskova can't return the Sabalenka serve.
Deuce.
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA *2-2 PLISKOVA
Break point Pliskova!
Short ball from Pliskova is met by Sabalenka who doesn't adjust quick enough and finds the net.
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA *2-2 PLISKOVA
Stays on serve as another ace from Pliskova sets her up.
She is helped by an error from Sabalenka, who has an entire court to hit after a good approach shot and finds the net.
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA 2-1* PLISKOVA
Good hold.
More pressure on this service game as Sabalenk goes 0-30 down on serve from two huge but long forehands.
She powers her way back with a really good forehand down the line before the Pliskova return of serve is long on 40-30.
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA *1-1 PLISKOVA
And Pliskova responds. Sabalenka with a great return at 0-15 to level the game.
She then sent three backhands long in the next three rallies.
- Craig Mahood
SABALENKA 1-0* PLISKOVA
First ever Wimbledon semi and Sabalenka takes her opening game to love.
A pair of aces chucked in there.
Power v power and she's not hanging about.
- Craig Mahood
HERE WE GO THEN!
Quick warm-up and we are ready for play.
Sabalenka to serve first!
- Craig Mahood
ONTO THE NEXT
Aryna Sabalenka against Karolína Plíšková is the second of today's semi finals.
The players walk out on Centre Court with more than a few empty seats as the patrons nip out for something to eat.
- Craig Mahood
'BEST THING'
She continues:
I have had ups, downs and everything in between on this journey. There's a lot of things which have led to this point. To play in the final at Wimbledon on Saturday will be the best thing ever.
Ash BartyBBC
- Craig Mahood
BARTY CONTINUES
The world No1 opens up about her enjoyment of being involved in these matches.
You have to enjoy the journey and all the opportunities I have I get to do with the people I love and help me be the best I can be. It's about coming here and having fun. Playing in front of this crowd and on a beautiful court there is nothing better.
Ash BartyBBC
- Craig Mahood
DREAMING
Ash Barty reacts to her semi final straight sets win.
This is incredible and close to as good a tennis match as I will play. Angelique brought the best out of me and now I have a chance on Saturday to live out a childhood dream.
Ash BartyBBC
- Craig Mahood
WINNING MOMENT
How the Aussie star wrapped up the match.
A glimpse into the quality of the match too!
- Craig Mahood
BEST YET
Tracey Austin commended the quality of the first women's semi-final.
This is the best women's match in the tournament so far in terms of quality. So many points have been won by winners or forced errors. They are trying to outfox each other changing spins and tempos.
Tracey AustinBBC
- Craig Mahood
GAME, SET AND THE MATCH!
Australian World No1 Ash Barty is into the Wimbledon Final!
She beats former champ Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-6
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY *6-3 KERBER
Poor forehand from the baseline from Barty finds the net.
She has two serves now to clinch it!
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY 6-2* KERBER
Clever drop shot from Kerber, Barty reaches but knocks into the net.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY 6-1* KERBER
The German is on the board but she was made to work for it!
Now she has two serves coming up….
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY *6-0 KERBER – SIX MATCH POINTS!
Ten points in a row as Kerber fails to return her serve.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY *5-0 KERBER
Really stunning stuff from Barty. She closes her swing late and switches direction in a forehand. Sent down the line for a winner.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY 4-0* KERBER
Double fault. Another mini-break and it'll be tough for the German from here.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY 3-0* KERBER
A whipped forehand sends Kerber well, well wide. She returns but Barty sticks one into the other corner.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY *2-0 KERBER
Kerber's return of the second serve with the backhand finds the net.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
BARTY *1-0 KERBER
Mini-break! Tight Kerber forehand goes into the net.
- Craig Mahood
BARTY 6-3 6-6 KERBER
TIE BREAK!
Barty holds and we enter a crucial tie break.
Source: Read Full Article