Sabalenka survives epic scare, claws past Siegemund into Wimbledon semis

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player and heavy favorite for the Wimbledon title, endured a grueling three-set battle against German veteran Laura Siegemund, ultimately clawing her way into the semi-finals. In a match that tested her composure and determination, Sabalenka twice had to recover from a break down in the deciding set to overcome the 37-year-old Siegemund 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

This victory ensures Sabalenka's place in the final four of a Grand Slam for the third consecutive time, following her runs to the finals of the past three majors. With many of her top rivals having fallen in the first week of Wimbledon, Sabalenka now has an incredible opportunity to reach Saturday's championship match. However, few would have predicted the immense scare posed by Siegemund, a player more renowned for her doubles prowess, who had never previously advanced beyond the second round in singles at Wimbledon.

Siegemund's unorthodox game style, characterized by slices, brilliant returns, and a deliberately slow pace of play, pushed Sabalenka to the brink of distraction. It took every ounce of the Belarusian's renowned grit and determination to hang in the match for a grueling two hours and 54 minutes. "After the first set I was looking at my box and thinking, 'book the tickets, we are about to leave'," Sabalenka, 27, admitted afterwards. "I had to make sure I didn't show I was annoyed by her - even if I was slightly, I didn't want to give her that energy."

Indeed, Sabalenka rarely found any part of the match enjoyable on a sun-drenched Centre Court. Siegemund had previously described her own game as "annoying," and the frustration was evident on Sabalenka's face as she relentlessly chased down drop shots and slices. There were helpless glances towards her box, muttered frustrations after missed points, and eventually, a huge roar of relief when she finally got the better of her tenacious opponent. Yet, a testament to Sabalenka's conscious effort to remain calmer on court, she never lost control or gave up.

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Former British number one Annabel Croft commented on BBC 5 Live, "That is one of the most uncomfortable, painful matches Sabalenka has ever had to play in her life. Siegemund played that match so well to make Sabalenka play some of the worst tennis of her career."

Siegemund's brilliant performance saw her stepping forward to attack Sabalenka's powerful serve and expertly chopping her way through the world number one's groundstrokes. Sabalenka managed to hold serve just once in the opening set, which lasted 57 minutes, and found herself double-break down before salvaging one break back. After conceding the first set, Sabalenka briefly left the court to reset, a tactic that appeared to work as she broke immediately in the second. However, she quickly conceded the break back, visibly unsettled. The set continued to be a roller-coaster, but Sabalenka, roared on by the crowd, held firm and won four consecutive games to force a decider.

The third set began with another early break to Siegemund, secured with a brilliant passing winner, which again seemed to rattle Sabalenka. A missed break point that saw her fall to her knees at the net compounded her frustration. Despite a nervy conclusion, Sabalenka eventually broke back, conceded it, and then capitalized as Siegemund served to stay in the match, sealing victory with a relieved winner at the net. "It doesn't matter if you are a big-hitter or a big server - you have to work, run and earn the victory," Sabalenka concluded. "It is tough, but beautiful."

Sabalenka will now face either 13th seed Amanda Anisimova or Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a place in her first Wimbledon singles final.