World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka saves four match points in epic comeback at Berlin Open; Carlos Alcaraz enters Queen's semis
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka pulled off a thrilling comeback to reach the semi-finals at the Berlin Open on Friday, saving four match points to defeat 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka trailed 6-2 in the final set tie-break but won six straight points to seal a 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) win after two hours and 42 minutes of intense battle. The Belarusian, now into her eighth semi-final of the season, will face 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova next.
Vondrousova advanced with a dominant 6-4, 6-1 win over Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, a rematch of their Wimbledon final last year. The Czech, who has struggled with injuries and dropped to world No.
164, will be playing her first semi-final since April.
In the other Berlin semi-final, China's Wang Xinyu will face Russia's Liudmila Samsonova. Wang advanced after Paula Badosa retired hurt following a 6-1 first-set loss. Samsonova crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-1, 6-1, continuing her impressive run which included wins over Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula.
Meanwhile, at Queen's Club, Carlos Alcaraz extended his winning streak to 16 matches with a composed 7-5, 6-4 win over Arthur Rinderknech.
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The French Open champion, now in the semi-finals, will face fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat Holger Rune in three sets.
British No. 1 Jack Draper also made headlines, reaching the Queen's semi-finals for the first time with a gritty 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win over Brandon Nakashima.
Draper's run will push him to a career-high world ranking of No. 4, ensuring he avoids top seeds Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until the Wimbledon semis. Draper will next face Czech Jiri Lehecka, who defeated Jacob Fearnley in straight sets.
With major names battling it out on both grass courts, the stage is set for a thrilling run-up to Wimbledon.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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