Princess Kate is saved from having to hand a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player

The Princess of Wales has been saved from having to present a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player linked to a key supporter of the war in Ukraine.

Aryna Sabalenka, 25, who has been photographed hugging Russian president Vladimir Putin’s closest ally Alexander Lukashenko, was knocked out of the tournament yesterday.

But there was also heartbreak for Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina, 28, as her fairytale run ended in a straight set loss.

Their defeats ended the prospect of the ladies’ final tomorrow seeing a Ukrainian face a Belarusian in what would have been a highly-charged match.

All eyes are now on Spanish hunk Carlos Alcaraz today as he takes on Daniil Medvedev, the last Russian standing at Wimbledon, for a place in the men’s final.

Alcaraz, a 20-year-old prodigy, is favourite to take down the 6ft 6in world number three and prevent Kate having to be photographed with an athlete from an aggressor nation. 

The princess presents the winners’ trophies, and having to hand one to a Belarusian or Russian would prove a diplomatic embarrassment for Britain.

Svitolina became a favourite of the home crowd after knocking out Grand Slam champions Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek. 

She received overwhelming support in her homeland too, with a big screen erected in Kyiv to watch the match, but yesterday’s semi-final proved a step too far and she was beaten by Czech Marketa Vondrousova.

The Princess of Wales presents the winners’ trophies, and having to hand one to a Belarusian or Russian would prove a diplomatic embarrassment for Britain

 The defeats of Elina Svitlona (left) and Anya Sabalenka (right) scuppered any chance of a Ukrainian facing a Belarusian in the tournament

Svitolina broke down in tears after her defeat as she described the incredible support she has received from people in Ukraine.

‘It’s unbelievable that they been there with me all the way,’ she said. ‘Hopefully they continue.’

While she crashed out, history will be made whatever the result in the ladies’ final on Centre Court tomorrow. World number 42 Vondrousova, 24, would be the first unseeded woman to win the title.

Meanwhile Tunisian Ons Jabeur, 28, who lost in the final last year, would be the first ever Arabic, African and Muslim winner of a Grand Slam. Jabeur came back from a set down to defeat Sabalenka.

Alongside Alcaraz’s crunch match with Medvedev, eight-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic takes on Italian Jannick Sinner in his semi-final today.