Dominant Muguruza to face Rybarikova in Wimbledon semis

One has been at this stage before. The other is a novice.

But when Garbine Muguruza and Magdalena Rybarikova face off in the semifinals on Thursday, the prize is the same – a place in the title match, and a shot at a Grand Slam title.

Muguruza, the 2016 Roland Garros champion and a finalist at Wimbledon two years ago, was impressive in a straight-sets dismissal of Svetlana Kuznetsova.

After being stretched to the limit in a three-set battle against world No.1 Angelique Kerber on Monday, Muguruza’s 6-3 6-4 win over the Russian was her fourth straight-sets victory in five matches this fortnight at the All England Club.

“It means a lot. Especially since that (2015) final, and last year losing in second round, to be able to go deep in the tournament still with chances. I’m very happy,” Muguruza said.

“Very pleased also with this match, because obviously Kuznetsova is a very tough opponent. We all know she has been and is a great player. I managed to play a good level during all the match. I earned the victory.”

Muguruza, who will return to the world’s top 10 when the new rankings are released next Monday, will go into the semifinal against the 87th-ranked Rybarikova as a heavy favourite.

Rybarikova had until this tournament never advanced beyond the third round of a Grand Slam event but has produced a stellar campaign at SW19 to become the first Slovak ever to reach the Wimbledon semifinals.

She stunned title favourite and No.3 seed Karolina Pliskova in the second round before brushing aside the dangerous yet erratic CoCo Vandeweghe 6-3 6-3 in the quarters – a match that began on No.1 Court but was transferred to Centre Court under a closed roof when rain suspended play on outside courts.

When play resumed on the new court early in the second set, Rybarikova streaked to victory.

“I was dreaming about it since I was a little kid, to be semifinal in the Wimbledon. I think all the players are dreaming about this to happen,” she said.

“Before the match, I was still saying to myself, It’s great to be quarterfinal, just be relaxed, just play your game, then we’ll see what’s going to happen. Even when I have match points, I was all the time thinking the same. Just to be relaxed, just to be relaxed. I was really not that nervous.

“I was very surprised because I was always thinking before when I was home, like, how nervous I would be when I was watching the other players to have match points and to get into the semifinal.

“I was really not that nervous. Maybe that’s why I also made it.”

After winning the ITF grasscourt titles in Surbiton and Ilkley as well as the WTA Nottingham semifinals, Ryabrikova has now won 18 of her last 19 matches on the lawns.

“Rybarikova, a long time I didn’t play against her, but I can see that her game is still there,” Muguruza noted.

“She’s playing a great tennis. So I’m just going to expect another tough match. So I’m ready.”