Latest news with #Sabalenka
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Sabalenka pulls off 'crazy comeback' to defeat Rybakina at Berlin Open
BERLIN (AP) — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka staged a 'crazy comeback", saving four match points before beating Elena Rybakina 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open tennis tournament on Friday. Sabalenka was 6-2 down in the final-set tiebreak but came storming back, winning six straight points to reach her eighth semifinal of the season. 'Elena is a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles," Sabalenka said. "I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky. 'I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am. 'It's amazing to win matches like that. I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in it. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point.' Sabalenka next faces Marketa Vondrousova, who defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1. Liudmila Samsonova also went through with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Amanda Anisimova. ___
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Sabalenka pulls off 'crazy comeback' to defeat Rybakina at Berlin Open
Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka staged a 'crazy comeback", saving four match points before beating Elena Rybakina 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open tennis tournament on Friday. Sabalenka was 6-2 down in the final-set tiebreak but came storming back, winning six straight points to reach her eighth semifinal of the season. 'Elena is a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles," Sabalenka said. "I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky. 'I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am. 'It's amazing to win matches like that. I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in it. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point.' Sabalenka next faces Marketa Vondrousova, who defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1. Liudmila Samsonova also went through with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Amanda Anisimova. Samsonova will next meet Wang Xinyu after her opponent, Paula Badosa, was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury after losing the first set 6-1. ___ More AP tennis:
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sabalenka pulls off ‘crazy comeback' to defeat Rybakina at Berlin Open
BERLIN (AP) — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka staged a 'crazy comeback', saving four match points before beating Elena Rybakina 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open tennis tournament on Friday. Sabalenka was 6-2 down in the final-set tiebreak but came storming back, winning six straight points to reach her eighth semifinal of the season. 'Elena is a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles,' Sabalenka said. 'I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky. 'I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am. 'It's amazing to win matches like that. I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in it. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point.' Sabalenka next faces Marketa Vondrousova, who defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1. Liudmila Samsonova also went through with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Amanda Anisimova. Samsonova will next meet Wang Xinyu after her opponent, Paula Badosa, was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury after losing the first set 6-1. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ More AP tennis:
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Terrific Sabalenka comeback in Berlin thwarts Rybakina
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Aryna Sabalenka saves four match points against Elena Rybakina to reach Berlin semis
BERLIN - World number one Aryna Sabalenka saved four match points against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to book her ticket to the semi-finals on grass in Berlin on June 20. Trailing the 2022 Wimbledon champion 6-2 in the final-set tie-break, Sabalenka won six straight points in a 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) comeback to reach her eighth semi-final of the season after two hours 42 minutes. She next meets 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova who defeated Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1 earlier on June 20. 'Elena, she's a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles... I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky, to be honest,' said Sabalenka who now leads 7-4 in meetings with the Kazakh. 'I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago, I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am. 'It's amazing to win matches like that... and I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point.' After winning the first set in a tiebreak, the three-time Grand Slam champion lost the momentum and the second set to Rybakina. Sabalenka led 5-4 with serve in the final set, but let the Kazakh, world number 11, come back, and everything came down to the tie-break. Sabalenka saved her first match point with the help of the net, and closed out the match five points later on her serve (8-6). On June 21, she will face another Wimbledon winner, the returning Vondrousova, who has fallen to 164th place in the world after missing several months with a left shoulder injury. It will be Vondrousova's first last-four appearance since Stuttgart in April 2024. Vondrusova breezed past Jabeur in a repeat of their 2023 Wimbledon final which the Czech won. Both players have been beset by injuries and have plummeted in the rankings since being in the top 10 in 2024. In the other half of the draw, China's Wang Xinyu – conqueror of French Open champion Coco Gauff on June 19 – reached the semi-finals after Spanish opponent Paula Badosa retired having lost 6-1 in the first set. Wang will play Liudmila Samsono in the semi-finals after the Russian, ranked 20 in the world, continued her excellent form on the grass. Having already beaten defending champion Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka this week, she dispatched last weekend's Queen's finalist Amanda Anisimova of the United States 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
