World No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka narrowly avoids major upset, advances to Wimbledon semifinal
Sabalenka, 27, was twice down a break in the third set before she surged and won the final three games of the set.
"She pushed me so much," said Sabalenka after the match on the court. "After the first set, I was just looking at my box, thinking, 'Guys, I mean, book the tickets. I think we're about to leave this beautiful city, country, place.'"
Sabalenka hadn't lost a set in this year's tournament until she dropped the first set against Siegemund in the quarterfinal.
Siegemund, 37, plays an unorthodox style of tennis that can leave opponents flustered. Siegemund has the ability to change the depth, speed, angles and spins of her shots over and over, which can frustrate any opponent and dull the type of power that Sabalenka brings to the court.
Sabalenka credited Siegemund for playing a "smart game."
"It's not like it's an annoying game. It's a smart game. She's really making everyone work against her," Sabalenka said. "You know you have to 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."
Siegemund was the oldest player and lowest-ranked player of the women in the quarterfinals. She arrived at the All England Club this year with a career record of 2-5 before going on to upset No. 6-ranked Madison Keys and pushing Sabalenka to the brink.
For Sabalenka, the win moves her into the Wimbledon semifinals for the third time in her career. She lost in both of her prior Wimbledon semifinal appearances, in 2021 and 2023.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament in which Sabalenka has not appeared in the final. The world No. 1 has won the Australian Open twice, the U.S. Open once, and lost in the French Open.
Sabalenka will take on American Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals on Thursday, where she will look to break through and reach the final at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.
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