Thrilling Quarterfinal Matchup at the Berlin Open
In a thrilling quarterfinal matchup at the Berlin Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player in the world, showcased her remarkable resilience by overcoming Elena Rybakina with a score of 7-6 (6), 3-6, 7-6 (6). The Belarusian’s performance was highlighted by her ability to save four match points during a tense final set tiebreak.
Match Highlights
Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, seemed poised to secure her spot in the semifinals as she led 6-2 in the decisive tiebreak. However, her first attempt to close out the match was thwarted by a net cord, shifting the momentum dramatically in Sabalenka’s favor. The world No. 1 rallied back, scoring five consecutive points and sealing the match with a commanding display.
The contest began as an evenly matched affair, with Rybakina initially breaking Sabalenka’s serve for a 4-2 advantage in the first set. Yet, Sabalenka fought back, leveling the score and forcing the set into a tiebreak, which she narrowly won 8-6. In response, Rybakina came out strong in the second set, jumping ahead 2-0 and ultimately winning it 6-3 after breaking Sabalenka late.
The final set was a battle of wills, featuring critical swings in momentum. Although Sabalenka broke Rybakina to go ahead 5-4, she was unable to serve for the match, allowing Rybakina to break back and hold for a 6-5 lead. It was Sabalenka’s steadfast performance under pressure that ultimately led her to force a tiebreak.
Sabalenka’s Reflection
“It’s amazing to win matches like this; it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments. I’m proud of myself for trying till the very last point.”
After the match, Sabalenka reflected on her victory, acknowledging Rybakina’s skill and expressing surprise at her own ability to clinch those last crucial points.
Looking Ahead
In the next round, Sabalenka is set to face Marketa Vondrousova, who is looking for her first final appearance since her triumph at Wimbledon in 2023, following a solid 6-4, 6-1 win over Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals.
Other Quarterfinal Highlights
In another quarterfinal highlight, Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semifinals when eighth-seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip injury. Wang was leading 6-1, 0-0 at the time of the withdrawal. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a stellar week in Berlin, including a significant victory over second seed Coco Gauff, and will aim for a place in the final against either Amanda Anisimova or Liudmila Samsonova.
