LONDON: Ukrainian Elina Svitolina’s bid to win the Wimbledon singles fell short on Thursday but her war-torn nation could still celebrate a Grand Slam champion as Lyudmyla Kichenok and Croatian partner Mate Pavic later won the mixed doubles.
The 30-year-old Kichenok and Pavic, seeded seventh, beat Belgium’s Joran Vliegen and China’s Xu Yifan 6-4, 6-7(9), 6-3.
“I try to encourage the people in Ukraine and I hope this helps a little because they are fighting for their freedom,” Kichenok said to a huge ovation from the Centre Court crowd.
“This feels amazing, I want to thank my partner for playing incredible in this two weeks.”
Former doubles world No 1 Pavic, also 30, adds the Wimbledon mixed doubles titles to five other Grand Slam doubles titles, three in men’s and two in mixed.
Earlier on Thursday, wildcard Svitolina was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Czech Marketa Vondrousova in the women’s semifinals.