Wimbledon Day 8: Barty, Kerber sail into the semis, Medvedev crashes out

Surprise package Ons Jabeur was knocked out by Aryna Sabalenka.

2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber comfortably beat Karolina Muchova to reach the semifinal of Wimbledon 2021. Kerber was coming into the match as the only previous remaining winner in this edition's competition. It turned out to be a cakewalk for the 33-year-old.

Kerber was at her very best in this match and unsettled Muchova right from the beginning. The German's extending rallies coupled with powerful groundstrokes, allowed her to hit winners from frequently defensive positions. In the end, she won in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. The victory sets up a last-four battle with World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.

Barty makes light work of Tomljanovic

World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty outpowered compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic to reach her maiden Wimbledon semi-final. It was the first time in 41 years that two Australian women met each other in a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Barty sealed victory with an ace, going onto win 6-1, 6-3 at the All England Club’s Centre Court. Angelique Kerber will be her opponent in a mouth-watering semi-final matchup.

Jabeur's dream campaign over; Pliskova through

In the day's other Wimbledon women's singles quarter-final matches, Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova booked their spot in the last four. Second seed Sabalenka proved to be a tough nut to crack for Ons Jabeur, as the Tunisian bowed out of Wimbledon after a memorable campaign.

Jabeur was looking to become the first Arab in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, whereas Sabalenka was playing in her first major quarter-final. It was also a match between the joint tour leaders in wins this season. The Belarusian emerged victorious 6-3, 6-4 in a fairly straightforward outing.

On the other hand, Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova looks in imperious form. The former World No. 1, who is currently ranked 13, reached her first-ever Grand Slam semi-final after ousting Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-2.

The 29-year-old has been impressive at the Wimbledon so far and is yet to drop a set at the ongoing championships. Pliskova will now face Sabalenka in a bid to secure a spot in the final.

Medvedev shown the exit door

Elsewhere, World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev suffered a surprising exit against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Hurkacz triumphed 2-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Medvedev on Monday in a game that was abandoned due to the rain. The Pole took to the court with a renewed vigour and determination. Hurkacz had won the Miami Masters title in March, but little did anyone give him a chance against Medvedev.

However, World No. 18 Hurkacz came out on top after a hard-fought five-set clash. He becomes just the fourth Pole to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The 24-year-old will face his idol Roger Federer for a spot in the semi-final of the grass-court Grand Slam.

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