Aryna Sabalenka hits incredible Grand Slam milestones after surviving Wimbledon thriller
Aryna Sabalenka followed in the footsteps of milestones set by tennis icons Serena Williams and Chris Evert after battling past Laura Siegemund in a thrilling Wimbledon quarter-final.
In a pulsating Centre Court battle, Sabalenka battled back from the brink to beat world No 104 Siegemund 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted close to three hours.
Siegemund had control of large stages of the opener and, while she was unable to close it out at the first time of asking, held serve at 5-4 up to move one set away from the upset.
World No 1 Sabalenka stormed back with a dominant second set and looked set to take control of the quarter-final from then.
But the decider proved to ebb and flow in both directions, with Siegemund leading by a break multiple times, only for the three-time Grand Slam champion to fight back.
A break down at 3-4 in the final set, Sabalenka was just two games from exiting the tournament, though she battled through the final three games to seal victory.
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“That was a real task. Honestly, I need some time to cool down and recover after this match,” said Sabalenka in her on-court interview.
“She pushed me so much. Honestly, after the first set, I was looking at my box thinking like: ‘Guys, book the tickets – I think we’re about to leave this beautiful city, country, place.’
“She played an incredible tournament, an incredible match. I’m just super happy with the win.”
Victory for Sabalenka means she has reached a third Wimbledon semi-final in her last three appearances at the All England Club, previously reaching this stage in 2021 and 2023.
The Belarusian was banned from the tournament in 2022, while she was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury in 2024.
The world No 1 will now look to reach her fourth straight Grand Slam final, and first Wimbledon final, when she returns to action in Thursday’s semi-finals.
However, the 27-year-old has already hit some impressive milestones after her battling three-set triumph.
Sabalenka has become arguably the most consistent player at Grand Slam level in recent years, and she has now reached at least the semi-final of 10 of her last 11 main-draw appearances at majors.
Since 2000, Serena Williams is the only other woman to have attained that incredible feat, highlighting Sabalenka’s consistency at the top of the game.
It was also her 12th victory from her 13 Grand Slam singles quarter-finals, with the world No 1’s only Grand Slam quarter-final loss coming to Mirra Andreeva at Roland Garros last year.
In the Open Era, only Chris Evert has a better record in her first 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals, with the tennis icon winning all 13 of those matches.
Sabalenka’s 12-1 record in her first 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals puts her level with tennis legends Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, and Justine Henin, who also prevailed in 12 of their first 13 last-eight matches at majors.
The world No 1 is the only top-four seed left in the draw and, despite a nervy match on Tuesday, arguably remains the favourite to lift the title at the All England Club.
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