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Welcome to the Wimbledon briefing, where The Athletic provides insights into the background stories at the tournament each day.
On day 10, the quarterfinals concluded. Here’s a recap of the action.
Ben Shelton’s Familiar Challenge
This year, only two players—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—have eliminated Ben Shelton from Grand Slam tournaments.
Unfortunately for Shelton, he was ousted from Wimbledon this afternoon, losing to Sinner 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4.
At 22, Shelton has become accustomed to this recurring narrative at Grand Slams. He energizes the crowd in the initial rounds with his explosive serves and remarkable athleticism, but struggles to maintain this form against formidable opponents.
He starts strong, often finding himself competitive in tight sets, but falters when it truly matters. The constant pressure from top players is immense, and while he knows he can challenge them, sustaining that level across five sets remains a formidable task.
For Sinner, the next challenge is against Novak Djokovic, who represents the kind of barrier Sinner once faced. Having defeated Djokovic in their last four encounters, Sinner’s confidence is likely to inspire Shelton.
Matt Futterman
Iga Świątek’s ‘Challenging’ Season
Iga Świątek showcased her exceptional grass-court skills today, overcoming No. 19 seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to advance to the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time.
Ranked No. 8, Świątek has shattered the stereotype of being solely a clay specialist, demonstrating her adaptability and skill in this tournament.
Displaying focused patience rather than overextending herself, she maintained composure even during pressured situations, sealing her win with an impressive forehand return winner.
Despite criticisms after 13 months without a title, she remains the world No. 4 and has reached the semifinals of all three Grand Slams in 2025, illustrating that her performance continues to be top-tier.
Up next for her is Belinda Bencic, who triumphed over the No. 7 seed Mirra Andreeva in a thrilling match.
Charlie Eccleshare
Djokovic’s Slip
Seeking a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title, Djokovic overcame the Italian No. 22 seed Flavio Cobolli 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to set up a showdown with Sinner.
A notable fall on his second match point didn’t detract from his victory, as Djokovic downplayed the slip in his interview.
He expressed optimism about being fit for Friday despite calling the incident “awkward.” Facing Sinner is a challenge he is eager to tackle.
Though he struggled at first, he quickly regained momentum and focused on Sinner immediately after securing the win.
“For me, this is where it counts the most… Being in the final stages of Grand Slams against the best players in the world,” he remarked, acknowledging Sinner’s recent success.
Charlie Eccleshare
Shot of the Day
This moment captures Shelton’s predicament: even his best efforts are met with Sinner’s solid response.
Next Up: Women’s Semifinals
🎾 Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Amanda Anisimova (13)
8:30 a.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+
Sabalenka faced a challenge against Laura Siegemund’s unpredictable playing style. Anisimova, however, presents another level of competition that could heighten the intensity.
🎾 Iga Świątek (8) vs. Belinda Bencic
Follows Sabalenka vs. Anisimova on ESPN/ESPN+
The previous match between Świątek and Bencic at last year’s tournament was a nail-biter, with Bencic almost pulling off an upset.
Wimbledon Men’s Draw 2025
Wimbledon Women’s Draw 2025
Share your thoughts on Day 10…
(Top photo of Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic)
