A busy schedule is working beautifully for Elena Vesnina.
Into the semi-finals of the Wimbledon singles event for the first time in 42 Grand Slam appearances, the Russian also continues her charge in the doubles event with countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova.
On Wednesday the Russian No.4 seeds progressed to the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Michaella Krajicek and Barbora Strycova to set up a clash with Serena and Venus Williams. Intriguingly, Vesnina also meets Serena in the semi-finals of the singles event.
Many players would struggle to manage such a demanding physical load, let alone the mental one. But Vesnina believes that doubles is helping her strike a perfect balance in her most successful major showing yet.
“I think young players, they should play more doubles from the beginning of their career because it really helps to build your game. You will be the complete player. You will have all‑court game, not only on the baseline, also at the net,” she commented.
“It also helped me in the singles because I know that I'm coming to the net, I'm confident. I know what to do there.”
The world No.3 doubles ranking that Vesnina achieved in 2014 – helped by a French Open win in 2013 and finals run at the 2014 Australian Open – highlights the valuable big stage experience the Russian has gained..
“You can practise your game,” noted the 29-year-old, who has 12 doubles titles to her name. “It gives you some confidence. Some wins. You have the trophy at the end of the week. It gives you some self‑belief. It gives you some positive thinking.”
That it was Vesnina who confidently served for the match against Krajicek and Strycova added to the pleasing momentum she has achieved at the 2016 Championships. There is also a welcome synergy, Vesnina having defeated close friend Makarova (who was also a bridesmaid at her wedding) in the fourth round of the singles event.
It has been quite a few months for the Russians, who only recently rekindled a successful doubles partnership that has so far delivered them five career titles together, including the 2013 French Open and 2014 US Open.
Makarova and Vesnina were also runners-up at the most recent French Open, finishing second to the all-French pairing of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.
That form has continued for the Frenchwomen at the Championships, although their path to the quarter-finals was helped by a retirement from Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santona as Garcia and Mladenovic led 5-3 in the first set. With Medina Garrigues suffering a shoulder injury, it was a 27-minute progression for the French team, who now face Julia Goerges and Karolina Pliskova in the quarter-finals.
There was a far tougher passage for the No.5 seeds Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova, with the Hungarian and Kazakhstani duo staging an impressive comeback to defeat Johanna Konta and Maria Sanchez 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in just under two hours on No.2 Court. Their win sets up a quarter-final with No.1 seeds and defending champions Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza.
Raquel Atawo and Abigail Spears, the No.10 seeds, were the first pair to advance to the semi-finals, overcoming Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 12 minutes.