June 21, (THEWILL) – June 21, (THEWILL) – Czech tennis player, Marketa Vondrousova, has reached her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-4 in the Berlin Open semi-final on Saturday. The 25-year-old, currently ranked 164th globally, dominated the match against the Belarusian to earn a place in Sunday’s title decider against China’s Wang Xinyu on the grass courts of Berlin.
Vondrousova’s ranking plummeted from sixth place following months away from competition due to a left shoulder injury that required surgery last year. The former Wimbledon champion admitted she had modest expectations entering the tournament, telling reporters she initially hoped to win just the first round. Her victory over Sabalenka marked her first win against a world number one and her first WTA semi-final appearance since April 2024.
Sabalenka struggled with her first serve during the opening set, allowing Vondrousova to take control early. The world number one fought back to break serve at the start of the second set, but Vondrousova levelled at 2-2 before breaking again to lead 5-4. The Czech sealed victory with an ace after saving three consecutive break points, completing the upset in one hour and 20 minutes.
Wang Xinyu reached her first WTA singles final by defeating Russian Daria Samsonova in the other semi-final, continuing what she described as a “dream” week in Berlin. The 23-year-old has defeated several top players this week, including French Open champion Coco Gauff, and expressed amazement at her breakthrough performance in the German capital.
Sunday’s final represents contrasting career stages for both players. Vondrousova brings experience from five previous finals, having won titles in Bern (2017) and Wimbledon (2023), plus reaching finals at Roland Garros and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Wang, meanwhile, seeks her maiden WTA title in what marks the biggest moment of her professional career to date.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
