BERLIN — In a thrilling showdown, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka executed a stunning “crazy comeback,” fending off four match points to secure a victory over Elena Rybakina with a score of 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 during the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open tennis tournament on Friday.
Down 6-2 in the decisive tiebreak of the final set, Sabalenka rallied fiercely, clinching six consecutive points to book her spot in the semifinals for the eighth time this season.
“Elena is an incredible player, and we’ve had many hard-fought matches,” Sabalenka expressed. “I honestly have no clue how I managed to win those last points. Maybe it was just luck.”
“I recall a time when I was just starting out, winning several matches after facing match points against me. Recently, I had been reflecting on how it had been a while since I accomplished a remarkable comeback, and here we are.”
“Winning matches in that way is truly amazing. I take pride in my determination to stay in the game. I fought hard up until the very last point.”
Next up for Sabalenka is Marketa Vondrousova, who overcame Ons Jabeur with a score of 6-4, 6-1.
Liudmila Samsonova also advanced, delivering a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Amanda Anisimova.
Samsonova will face Wang Xinyu, following Paula Badosa’s withdrawal due to a rib injury after dropping the first set 6-1.
