London, July 6: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova advanced to her second Wimbledon quarterfinal with a hard-fought 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Britain’s Sonay Kartal in a dramatic contest marred by a controversial line-calling malfunction.
The match lasted two hours and two minutes and tested both Pavlyuchenkova’s resilience and composure. In a tense first set, with the score tied at 4-4, Pavlyuchenkova appeared to win a game point when Kartal’s backhand landed visibly long.
However, a failure in the electronic line-calling system—later blamed on operator error—meant the point was replayed instead of awarded to the Russian.
Kartal capitalized on the confusion, breaking serve and earning a set point in the following game as per WTA.
But the veteran Pavlyuchenkova responded with calm authority. She saved set point, broke back, and then cruised through the tiebreak, showcasing her trademark power and experience.
The World No. 50, who was diagnosed with Lyme disease in February and has since been on a determined comeback trail, kept up her level in the second set with a flurry of highlight-reel shots— including a left-handed forehand winner and a deft lob.
Although Kartal showed grit by briefly breaking back, Pavlyuchenkova recaptured the lead at 3-2 and never looked back.
She sealed the victory on her first match point with a blistering forehand down the line—her 36th winner of the match, far outpacing Kartal’s 14.
The win marks Pavlyuchenkova’s 10th Grand Slam quarterfinal and second this season, her first time reaching that milestone in a single year since 2011. With an 8-1 record on grass this season and a semifinal run in Eastbourne already under her belt, she’s in top form heading into a clash against either Amanda Anisimova or Linda Noskova for a place in the semifinals.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s gritty triumph over Sonay Kartal was more than just a ticket to the Wimbledon quarterfinals—it was a testament to the veteran’s unwavering resolve, refined skillset, and remarkable journey back to the top.
Navigating through a high-pressure match laced with controversy and marred by a rare line-calling error, Pavlyuchenkova didn’t just survive the moment—she owned it, channeling her frustration into focused aggression and timely brilliance.
In a season that began with a Lyme disease diagnosis and uncertainty, she has engineered one of the most inspiring comebacks on the tour, and her form on grass—now 8 wins to just 1 loss—suggests she’s peaking at exactly the right moment. With her 10th career Grand Slam quarterfinal now in the bag and the possibility of another deep run at SW19 looming, Pavlyuchenkova is once again proving that experience, when paired with determination, can outlast both adversity and time.
Whether it’s Anisimova or Noskova standing across the net next, the Russian will step onto Centre Court not just as a contender—but as a seasoned warrior with unfinished business.
With her place in the quarterfinals secured and momentum firmly on her side, Pavlyuchenkova’s performance at Wimbledon is shaping into a powerful statement. (IANS)
