Wimbledon 2023: Laura Robson backs Elina Svitolina to complete ‘Cinderella story’ and claim first Grand Slam at SW19

Laura Robson has tipped Elina Svitolina to complete her “Cinderella story” by beating Marketa Vondrousova and Aryna Sabalenka to claim a first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

The former British No. 1 sat down to give Eurosport her expert opinion ahead of Thursday’s semi-finals.

“I think you could sum up her whole week and a half so far as being an absolute battle,” Robson said.

“She somehow managed to get herself in this position by just competing so well.

“She is moving better than ever, and I just can’t believe it’s been only nine months since she had her baby only a couple of months since she came back from maternity leave. I think that is a Cinderella story.”

Svitolina is up against Czech world No. 42 Marketa Vondrousova in the first semi-final of the day on Centre Court.

“[Vondrousova] is one of my favourite players to watch. She’s so crafty,” said Robson.

“She’s a fellow lefty, so I’m a little bit biased.

“I love a lefty on the grass courts where they’re able to swing it out wide, and she uses the forehand so well, but if I had to pick who’s going to come through that first semi-final, I would say Elina.”

The other semi-final has thrown up an intriguing battle between 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur and Australian Open champion Sabalenka.

“[She] came through against Rybakina in such a fine fashion,” Robson added.

“She was super crafty, but she played less variation than you usually see from her because she knew she had to play more aggressive.

“She had to be a bit more consistent from the baseline and just wait it out, wait for the right opportunity to come forward to do something different. And she battled.

“She was probably more intense than I’ve ever seen her on the court, and that started already a couple of days ago.

“You could just see the difference in her mentality ahead of this one. And she’s got another big, big hitter [next].”

World No. 2 Sabalenka cruised past Madison Keys in her quarter-final, and Robson fancies the Belarusian to reach her second Grand Slam final of the season after her triumph in Melbourne.

“[Sabalenka] had an easy win against Madison Keys,” said Robson.

“Relatively easy, wasn’t too tested other than a small dip in the second set.

“I think if I had to pick one, I’d have to go with the heavy hitter. I think I’m going to go Sabalenka here.

“I just feel like Ons won’t be able to play her game style with that much pace coming onto her racquet.”

After predicting who will make it through to the showpiece match at the All England Club, the former British No. 1 Robson cast her vote on who will be crowned champion.

“It’s hard, but I think I’m going to go with the fairy tale story, and I’m going to pick Elina Svitolina to win her first Grand Slam.”

Regardless of who triumphs in Saturday’s final, there is guaranteed to be a sixth consecutive first-time women’s champion at Wimbledon this year.

Asked why she thinks this pattern is continuing, Robson said: “We’re seeing new faces crop up at Wimbledon because grass allows you to do that.

“You maybe don’t have to have the same experience as you do on a slower surface, but also the grass is playing differently every year.

“The people who you expect to do well might not necessarily enjoy the conditions, agree with the surface and agree with the changes every year.

“It’s a live surface, so you’re never going to have the same court twice, and you’re never going to have the same bounce two times in a row.

“It’s up to the newbies to make adjustments as they come along. But all of these names have been there, done that and to see all four of them in the semi-final I don’t think it’s a huge surprise.”

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