Aryna Sabalenka survives scare against Siegemund to reach Wimbledon semifinals

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka displayed grit, resilience, and the heart of a champion on Tuesday as she clawed her way into the Wimbledon 2025 semifinals, surviving a nail-biting challenge from Germany’s Laura Siegemund to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in one of the most captivating matches of this year’s tournament.

The clash, which lasted 2 hours and 54 minutes, was the third-longest women’s singles match of the 2025 Championships and featured dramatic swings, break-point battles, and clutch moments that defined Sabalenka’s steely resolve under pressure.

Sabalenka Books 12th Grand Slam Semifinal

The Belarusian star, who already reached the finals of both the Australian Open and Roland Garros earlier this season, continues her incredible run in majors by advancing to her third Wimbledon semifinal and 12th Grand Slam semifinal overall.

With the victory, Sabalenka has now reached at least the semifinals in 10 of her last 11 Grand Slam appearances, a streak of consistency unmatched on the WTA Tour. The only blemish in that run was a quarterfinal exit at the hands of teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva at the French Open 2024.

One of the Longest Matches of the Championships

Tuesday’s Centre Court encounter was a tense, rollercoaster ride from the first serve to the final point. Siegemund, unseeded but always dangerous, took the opening set 6-4 by breaking Sabalenka twice and forcing the World No. 1 into long, grinding rallies.

Sabalenka responded like a true champion in the second set, blasting 17 winners and dominating on serve to level the match 6-2.

But the third set was where the real drama unfolded.

Siegemund twice went up a break, threatening one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. However, Sabalenka clawed back each time, using her thunderous groundstrokes and fearless net play to eventually seal the deciding set 6-4, raising her arms in triumph to a standing ovation.

Record-Breaking 2025 Campaign Continues

The Wimbledon semifinal is Sabalenka’s ninth of the 2025 season, more than any other player, including Iga Swiatek(six). Her remarkable consistency has solidified her position as World No. 1, and she now eyes a potential third Grand Slam final in a single season.

The last player to achieve that feat was Serena Williams in 2016, underlining the historical significance of Sabalenka’s current trajectory.

Next Opponent: Anisimova or Pavlyuchenkova

Sabalenka will face the winner of the other quarterfinal clash between No. 13 seed Amanda Anisimova and veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Either opponent will pose a different challenge, but if Tuesday’s match was any indication, Sabalenka appears locked in and determined to go all the way at SW19.

SportsLigue