By: Kwame Bediako
World No. 1 tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, faced a stern test on Centre Court at Wimbledon, coming from a set down to defeat Laura Siegemund 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 and advance to the semi-finals. The match, lasting nearly three hours, saw Sabalenka struggle early against the unseeded German’s crafty and varied play before mounting a determined comeback.
Siegemund, who had already stunned Madison Keys earlier in the tournament, raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, using precise drop shots and clever court positioning to unsettle Sabalenka. Despite Sabalenka’s attempts to regain control, Siegemund held her nerve to take the first set 6-4, putting the top seed on the back foot.
The second set marked a shift in momentum as Sabalenka found her rhythm and began to dominate. She capitalized on several double faults from Siegemund and raised her level of aggression, winning the set 6-2 to force a decisive third set.
The Belarusian’s resilience was evident as she recovered from an early break deficit in the final set to level the score at 3-3.
The final set was a tense battle with multiple breaks of serve, but Sabalenka’s power and mental toughness ultimately prevailed.
She sealed the victory with a decisive volley at the net, eliciting a roar of relief from the crowd.
This win marks Sabalenka’s third Wimbledon semi-final appearance, keeping her hopes alive for a first title at the All England Club.
