Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka stormed into the semifinals of the Berlin Open 2025 after overcoming four match points to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6, 3-6, 7-6.
Sabalenka trailed 2-6 in the decisive final-set tiebreaker before mounting a furious six-point streak, stunning the Berlin crowd and securing her eighth semifinal berth of the season. “I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky,” Sabalenka admitted post-match.
This high-octane clash added another memorable chapter to the growing rivalry between the two stars. Rybakina seemed poised to clinch victory, but couldn’t convert her opportunities as Sabalenka’s fierce grit and booming groundstrokes turned the tide.
She now advances to face Czech star Marketa Vondrousova, who comfortably dispatched Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1 earlier in the day. The other semifinal features Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova against China’s Wang Xinyu after Paula Badosa withdrew mid-match due to a rib injury.
Sabalenka’s win not only cements her dominance on grass this season but also sets the tone ahead of Wimbledon, where she’ll aim to carry this momentum further.
