LONDON — Great Britain's Joe Salisbury and Brazil's Luisa Stefani battled through a thrilling semi-final to secure their place in the Wimbledon mixed doubles final, delivering a performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The duo overcame a resilient challenge from their opponents, showcasing precision, teamwork, and nerves of steel to advance in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-4.
The match, played on Court No. 1 under a closed roof due to intermittent rain, was a masterclass in doubles strategy. Salisbury, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, and Stefani, an Olympic bronze medalist, demonstrated why they are one of the most formidable mixed doubles pairings in the tournament. "We knew it was going to be tight, but we stuck to our game plan and trusted each other," Salisbury said in his post-match interview.
A Nail-Biting First Set
The opening set was a tense affair, with neither pair willing to concede an inch. Salisbury and Stefani saved two break points in the fourth game, relying on Stefani’s sharp reflexes at the net and Salisbury’s powerful baseline play. The set eventually went to a tiebreak, where the British-Brazilian duo edged ahead with a crucial mini-break at 5-5 before sealing it 7-5.
Key moments in the first set included:
- Stefani’s lightning-fast volley winner at 4-4, 30-30
- Salisbury’s clutch ace down the T in the tiebreak
- A stunning cross-court passing shot from Stefani to save break point
Dominance in the Second
The second set saw Salisbury and Stefani take control early, breaking serve in the third game after a series of punishing rallies. Stefani’s agility and Salisbury’s precision serving kept their opponents under constant pressure. Despite a late surge from their rivals, the pair held their nerve, with Stefani sealing the match with a delicate drop volley on their first match point.
"Luisa was incredible today—her net play was just unreal," Salisbury praised. "We’ve been building our chemistry all tournament, and it’s paying off."
Road to the Final
Salisbury and Stefani’s journey to the final has been impressive, dropping only one set en route. Their path included victories over:
- Defending champions Neal Skupski and Desirae Krawczyk in the quarter-finals
- Fourth seeds Mate Pavić and Lyudmyla Kichenok in the third round
- A hard-fought opening match against wildcards Jonny O’Mara and Olivia Nicholls
What’s Next?
The pair will face either Australian duo Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez or another British-Brazilian pairing, Jamie Murray and Beatriz Haddad Maia, in the final. Salisbury, who won the US Open mixed doubles title in 2021, is aiming for his first Wimbledon crown, while Stefani seeks her maiden Grand Slam mixed doubles trophy.
"It’s a dream to be in a Wimbledon final," Stefani said. "Joe and I have worked so hard for this, and we’re going to give everything to lift that trophy."
A Boost for British Tennis
Salisbury’s success continues a strong Wimbledon for British players, following Jack Draper’s run to the fourth round in singles and Alfie Hewett’s wheelchair doubles triumph. With Murray also still in contention, British fans have plenty to cheer for. "It’s great to see so many Brits doing well," Salisbury remarked.
The final, scheduled for Sunday, promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the mixed doubles competition. Whether facing Ebden/Perez or Murray/Haddad Maia, Salisbury and Stefani will need to maintain their high level of play to claim the title.
For Salisbury, victory would cap a remarkable resurgence after a challenging 2023 season. "It’s been a tough road, but moments like this make it all worth it," he said. "We’re ready for one last push."
As the crowd roared their approval, Salisbury and Stefani left the court with smiles, knowing they were just one win away from Wimbledon glory. The final awaits—will they seize the moment?