World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame a stern test from veteran Laura Siegemund to secure her place in the Wimbledon semi-finals. In a captivating quarter-final match on Centre Court, Sabalenka recovered from a set down to defeat Siegemund 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The match, lasting two hours and 54 minutes, was the third-longest of the Championships this year.
Siegemund, ranked No. 104 in the world, showcased her strategic and varied game, disrupting Sabalenka's rhythm with slices, drop shots, and lobs. The German's tactics initially threw Sabalenka off balance, leading to Siegemund taking the first set. Siegemund's strategy was evident early, as she secured a 3-0 lead in the first set by mixing up her shots and hitting clean winners.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, admitted that she feared her Wimbledon campaign might be over after losing the first set. "After the first set I was looking at my box and saying 'book the tickets, we're out of this place'," Sabalenka confessed. However, the Belarusian regrouped in the second set, reducing her unforced errors and finding her range to win it decisively 6-2.
The deciding set was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both players displaying resilience and determination. Siegemund twice went a break up, but Sabalenka responded each time, eventually breaking the German to seal the victory. Sabalenka acknowledged the difficulty of the match, saying, "That was a real task. Honestly, I have no idea how I was able to hold myself and to be emotionally so prepared and focused".
Sabalenka praised Siegemund's smart game, noting that she makes everyone work for every point. "It doesn't matter if you're a big server, if you're a big hitter. You have to work. You have to run. And you have to earn the win," Sabalenka added.
With this win, Sabalenka advances to her 12th career Grand Slam semi-final and her third at Wimbledon. She also becomes the first player to officially qualify for the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh. Sabalenka will face No. 13 seed Amanda Anisimova in the semi-final. Sabalenka is aiming for her 21st career singles title and her first at Wimbledon. Her last title was at the Madrid Open in May. Since then, she has had a string of near misses, including a quarter-final loss at the Italian Open, a final loss at Roland Garros, and a semi-final loss at the Berlin Open. Sabalenka's last Grand Slam win was at the 2024 US Open.
The victory against Siegemund was a testament to Sabalenka's mental fortitude and ability to adapt her game under pressure. Despite being "driven crazy" by Siegemund's style, Sabalenka found a way to adjust, incorporating slices into her own game and ultimately prevailing. As Billie Jean King noted, Sabalenka's adaptation to grass court tennis was crucial in securing the win.
