Vesnina, who started year outside Top 100, calls Wimbledon semifinal run a 'dream'

LONDON—Elena Vesnina says she is "very surprised" to have reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, having begun the season outside the Top 100 in the rankings.

"It was like a dream came true," she said following her win over Dominika Cibulkova. "...I was not putting any pressure on myself going on court. I know I'm [in] good shape, I'm playing good. But it's always tough, you know, when you're in good shape … to keep playing the same level. So I was just trying to be focused on every single game. I was not thinking about my draw. I did not see who I was playing [in the] next round.

"It’s one of the best tennis tournament[s] in tennis history, with the best players in the world. I have to enjoy myself here ... You know, match by match I was playing better and better. It's just incredible."

In her first Grand Slam semifinal—playing Serena Williams at Wimbledon, no less—the 29-year-old described at as a “dream.”

Vesnina has had to climb her way up this season. She came through qualifying to reach the quarterfinals in Doha, the final in Charleston and the third round in Miami and Madrid.

"I think it's coming with experience," the veteran Russain said. "You really appreciate more what you have … I had a really difficult beginning of the year ... I was playing all tournaments starting from qualifications. I had a lot of matches under my belt. It was not easy, to be honest, because I was in [the] Top 30. Then I was like [No.] 120 or something.

"...I'm really happy that it did not break me up. I think the difficult times, every single player has to go through it because it makes you better."