Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand return to Germany’s Laura Siegemund during their women’s … More
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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced a massive challenge from German upstart Laura Siegemund on her road to the Wimbledon semifinals.
Siegemund, 37, threatened to become the oldest woman to beat a world No. 1 in WTA history, but Sabalenka fended her off, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in a quarterfinal that lasted nearly three hours.
A three-time major doubles champion, Siegemund had a 4-9 singles record in 2025 entering Wimbledon but was 4-0 entering the match. She is ranked No. 104 in the world and had only been to one previous major quarterfinal.
Sabalenka improved to 12-1 in major quarterfinals and 22-2 in majors against players ranked outside the Top 100.
In the decisive third set, Siegemund broke Sabalenka early and then held for 3-1.
Sabalenka broke back but then hit a backhand into the net to give the German a break for 4-3. Sabalenka broke back for 4-all.
The world No. 1 then crushed an ace to hold serve for 5-4.
But Siegemund began to feel the nerves and fell behind 0-30 while serving to stay in the match.
The German saved one match point with a drop shot winner but serving at 4-5, 30-40, Sabalenka won the match with a forehand approach to the backhand and then a forehand smash at the net.
Sabalenka blew kisses to the crowd after the win.
Siegemund broke Sabalenka three times in the first set and seized it on a service winner while serving at 5-4, 40-15.
In the second set, Sabalenka rallied from 40-0 down to break for a 4-2 lead. She took the first set when Siegemund netted a backhand on set point.
The last No. 1 seed to win the women’s title was Ash Barty in 2021.
Sabalenka is now two matches from following suit.
