Italian Jewish tennis player Camila Giorgi was well known to JC readers, long before she made it to her first ever grand slam quarter final and, briefly, threatened seven-time champion Serena Williams.

The 26-year-old was the first player in this tournament to win a set against Williams, who is seeking her eighth title in SW19 and her 24th grand slam win.

Giorgi has previously only reached the last 16 at a grand slam but has slain some giants of the game, including former World bumber ones Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka. This was her eighth consecutive Wimbledon.

Both her parents were from Argentina. Her father Sergio was drafted into the military and fought against the British in the Falklands War and is now her full-time coach. He draws inspiration from the "genius-like madness" of new Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa and vocally cheers her on at her matches. 

Her mother, Claudia Gabriella Fullone, is a fashion designer who designs all of her outfits her daughter plays in. They emigrated to Italy, where their daughter was born.

Her brother Amadeus is a semi-professional footballer and another brother Leandro is training to be an actor. Her sister Antonella died in car accident in Paris in 2011.

Giorgi was spotted by a coach when she was eight years old and offered seven months trainining in Florida. Adriano Panatta, the Italian French Open champion, said of playing against her: "It’s the first time I play a girl who plays like Andre Agassi." She went pro in 2006. Her world ranking peaked at number 30. She is currently number 52.

She reportedly only followed the careers of three tennis players: Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Marcelo Ríos. Before her Williams match, she told reporters she did not follow women's tennis. 

Ahead of the match, Williams said of Giorgi: "Camila has a powerful game. She is small but very aggressive for her size. She moves well on grass and I have watched her play a lot. I kind of know her game and am looking forward to the match."

Speaking off-court after the game, Williams said: "Every time I play Giorgi, she always plays at a high level.

"But she plays that level against everyone, so that's even more impressive that she always plays like that no matter who she plays. I knew going in, that it wouldn't be an easy match."