World number 15 Marion Bartoli blasted her way to her second career Wimbledon semifinal on Tuesday with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 quarterfinal victory over American Sloane Stephens. Stephens was the last American standing in both the men’s and ladies’ singles competition.
“I could’ve done even better today, especially when I had this 5-3, 30-0 lead on my serve,” Bartoli said. “But I’ve always prepared for anything on the court. Especially in my childhood and the way my dad made me practice, and the conditions I practiced in, they really were the toughest in the world.
“It has always been my strength to focus mentally and stay strong no matter what is happening.”
Bartoli of France reached the Wimbledon final in 2007 but lost to Venus Williams. This year, her ranking dropped to number 15 due to injuries but with her performance at the All England Club, her ranking is expected to rise by Monday.
“In a way it all made me stronger. I felt my body was cracking up all over the place. My ankle was still hurting at the French Open. I wasn’t ready for Birmingham, and I got a bad virus at Eastbourne. But in the back of my mind I still thought I could do well here. I think that way every time I come here, for some reason. Just whenever I’m back here, I have a smile on my face. I feel great right away,” she said.
This is Bartoli’s third career Grand Slam semifinal, aside from the aforementioned two semifinals or better appearance at Wimbledon, she also reached the French Open semifinal in 2011, losing to Francesca Schiavone.
