BENCIC AIMS TO MATCH EVONNE'S 1980 TRIUMPH

SUPERMUM Belinda Bencic said that she wants to “inspire” other mothers after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals only 10 months after her maternity leave.

- By Neil McLeman

The 28-year-old Swiss star will now bid to put Iga Swiatek to bed - and probably Aryna Sabalenka in the final - to become the first mother since Evonne Goolagong, right, in 1980 to claim the women’s singles title.

World No.35 Bencic started out on Court 17 and will end it on Centre.

But the journey back from giving birth to her first child Bella in April last year, and returning in October without a ranking, is even more remarkable.

The 2021 Olympic champion began the year at world No.489 and will now go back into the top 20. After beating Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva 7-6 7-6, Bencic said: “It’s crazy, unbelievable, a dream come true.”