Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens reaches first career Slam semifinal at Wimbledon 2013

A year ago she was ranked to as low as 262 and she had to deal with life-threatening blood clots in both of her legs, but today, a rejuvenated Kirsten Flipkens found herself reaching her first career Grand Slam semifinal at the Wimbledon 2013 Championships.

“It’s amazing, it’s more than a dream come true to be in the semifinals of a Grand Slam, it’s ridiculous,” the 20th-ranked Belgian said. “Last year I did not even get into the qualifying at Wimbledon. I was 260th in the world and today I am in the semifinals of Wimbledon. It cannot be better. I still cannot believe it. I am so happy I cannot imagine myself waking up.”

Flipkens battled past 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

“I never expected this to happen in my life,” she said. “Being in the semifinals of a Grand Slam, of the biggest tournament throughout the year, it has no words.”

Up next for Flipkens is Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli which she will be facing for the first time.

“I never played Marion, so I really have no idea,” Flipkens said. “I don’t really know what to expect.”