Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is savoring a remarkable moment at Wimbledon 2025, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in nine years. The 34-year-old Russian tennis player overcame Britain's Sonay Kartal in straight sets, 7-6 (3), 6-4, to secure her spot in the last eight. This achievement marks her 10th Grand Slam quarter-final overall.
Pavlyuchenkova's journey to this point has been filled with challenges. In February, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which impacted her form for several months. Despite these setbacks, she demonstrated resilience and a fighting spirit, making a strong comeback. Just a week before Wimbledon, she reached her first grass-court semi-final in Eastbourne, signaling her resurgence on the surface. Now, she boasts an impressive 8-1 record on grass this year.
The match against Kartal was not without its controversial moments. An electronic line-calling malfunction occurred during a crucial point in the first set, leaving Pavlyuchenkova visibly frustrated. The system failed to register that Kartal’s shot was out, leading to the point being replayed and Pavlyuchenkova losing the game. Despite feeling that the decision favored her British opponent, she maintained her composure and went on to win the match.
"I don't know if it's in or it's out,” she said, frustrated with the electronic line-calling malfunction. “How do I know? How can you prove it? Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me,".
Pavlyuchenkova's experience proved valuable as she saved a set point and broke back, eventually dominating the tiebreak. In the second set, she maintained control, securing her place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time since 2016.
Prior to her victory over Kartal, Pavlyuchenkova demonstrated her high level of play by defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the third round. This victory highlighted her ability to compete against top players and further fueled her confidence.
Throughout her career, Pavlyuchenkova has been a consistent performer, although she has never broken into the top 10 rankings. Her career-high ranking was world No. 11 in 2021, the same year she reached the French Open final and contributed to Russia's Billie Jean King Cup victory. She has won 12 WTA titles and has now reached her 10th Grand Slam quarter-final. Of those 10, four have been at the Australian Open (2017, 2019, 2020, 2025), three at Roland Garros (2011, 2021), one at the US Open (2011), and two at Wimbledon (2016, 2025). This season marks the second time she has reached multiple major quarter-finals in a single year, the first time since 2011.
Her nine-year gap between Wimbledon quarter-final appearances is the longest in women's singles history at the tournament, tying Mary Pierce. This statistic underscores the challenges and changes she has faced throughout her career.
In the quarter-finals, Pavlyuchenkova will face either No. 13 seed Amanda Anisimova or No. 30 seed Linda Noskova. As she aims for her second Grand Slam semi-final, Pavlyuchenkova's blend of experience, mental fortitude, and recent strong form on grass make her a formidable contender. Regardless of the outcome, her journey at Wimbledon 2025 is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to the sport.
