Aryna Sabalenka Qualifies For Wimbledon Semifinals After Three Ladeni Siegemund

Aryna Sabalenka had to fight hard for almost three hours to qualify for the semifinals (photo: x @RDCnoticias)

JAKARTA - Aryna Sabalenka had to fight hard for nearly three hours against Laura Siegemund's magical classic game, before finally securing a place in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2025 with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory at the Center Court, July 8.

The world number one was frustrated by the vintage playing style of 37-year-old German tennis player, who combines slices, dropshots, soft lobs, and full-round service as from past tennis eras. Ranked 104 in the world, Siegemund almost made a big surprise thanks to their extraordinary smart strategy and control of the ball.

"After the first set, I looked at the box and thought, 'Guys, it looks like we're coming home soon from this city," Sabalenka said with a laugh when interviewed. But he played amazingly and I'm really happy to win. The atmosphere is also amazing.

In the first set, Sabalenka seemed unable to move against the slow tempo and variation of Siegemund's punches. Raket Sabalenka, who usually hit hard, now feels useless facing a slow but accurate blow from his opponent.

Siegemund, better known as a double specialist with three Grand Slam titles in double and mixed numbers, showcased all his skills: soft dropshots, tilted shot passing, and a volley that immediately dies when it touches the grass.

But in the second set, Siegemund's intensity decreased slightly. The moment was immediately used by Sabalenka to take control of the game and equalize. In the third set, the two came back to each other in a tight exchange of points until Sabalenka finally closed the match with a loud overhead, greeted with cheers and relief screams.

"The game really took a lot of money," said Sabalenka. "I don't even know how I can survive emotionally and stay focused. I'm proud of myself because it's really a tough fight."

With this victory, Sabalenka stepped into the semifinals to face Amanda Anisimova, the 13th seed from the United States, who previously defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Sabalenka and Anisimova's meeting will certainly be an aggressive style fight of two new generations of women's tennis, after both showed impressive performance in the quarter-finals.