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Amanda Anisimova booked her spot in a maiden Wimbledon semi-final, surviving a second-set fightback from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win 6-1 7-6(9). And the American will have extra motivation when she returns for Thursday's match, as it will be her nephew's birthday.

The No.13 seed collapsed to the ground in delight when she overcame Pavlyuchenkova in a marathon second-set tiebreak, and then was joined on No. 1 Court by a special guest, four-year-old Jackson, who crashed her on-court interview.

"I think that's Amanda's nephew, I think that's her sister's son. This is not Amanda's child!" Martina Navratilova said in BBC commentary as they walked hand-in-hand to the microphone.

Anisimova attempted to pick her nephew up, but he was initially reluctant until on-court interviewer Rishi Persad asked about the special guest.

"Well, we have a couple of people to congratulate," he said as the fans laughed. "Not only do we have Amanda Anisimova making it through to the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the first time, Amanda, who have we got here with you?"

The 23-year-old scooped Jackson into her arms and told the crowd: "This is my nephew, Jackson, he flew in this morning and it's his birthday on Thursday! How old are you turning? Four."

Jackson showed a four with his fingers as Persad added: "That's amazing that he's here, he flew in this morning and he's able to go through such an eventful match and look so fresh. Well done, Jackson!"

Anisimova laughed and replied: "He's more tough than me. He's the older brother, so."

The 13th seed kept her nephew in her arms as she discussed her rollercoaster victory over Pavlyuchenkova. "It was such a battle today. I was up [5-2] there in the second set and she started to play some unreal tennis and I just kept fighting," she explained.

"The tiebreak was super stressful but I'm just so happy that I got it done and super excited to be in the semi-final for the first time, it's super special."

Jackson wasn't the only special supporter in Anisimova's corner as she added: "My whole team's here. This wouldn't have been possible without them. Being so tough in that tiebreak, they're the ones who I think have implemented that in me.

"And my sister is here with her husband and I'm just super grateful that they flew in and got to experience this with me. It doesn't happen often so it's just super special."

Anisimova's nephew also got an early birthday present as he left the court with his aunt, as a court attendant handed him a match ball to take home.

The American will now face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final. It's been a remarkable turnaround for Anisimova, who lost in the final round of qualifying a few miles away in Roehampton last year, when her ranking dropped after she took a break from the sport.

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