In a match that will be etched in tennis history, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka pulled off a breathtaking comeback to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(6) in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open on June 20, 2025. The Belarusian star, trailing 6-2 in the final-set tiebreak and facing four match points, defied the odds to win six consecutive points, securing her eighth semifinal of the season in a grueling two-hour, 42-minute battle. Sabalenka’s victory, marked by a blend of grit, power, and a touch of luck, has reignited excitement for her Wimbledon campaign, which begins in just 10 days, while showcasing the intensity of one of women’s tennis’s fiercest rivalries.
The match at Steffi Graf Stadium was a rollercoaster from the start. The first set saw both players trade breaks early, with Rybakina seizing a 4-2 lead only for Sabalenka to claw back to 4-4. Neither could break again, leading to a tense tiebreak where Sabalenka edged out an 8-6 victory after 57 minutes of high-octane tennis. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, responded fiercely in the second set, breaking Sabalenka three times to level the match at 6-3. Her composure and powerful groundstrokes kept her in control, while Sabalenka struggled with a 43% first-serve percentage, relying on Rybakina’s errors to stay competitive.
The deciding set was a showcase of both players’ resilience. Sabalenka broke for a 5-4 lead but faltered when serving for the match, allowing Rybakina to break back and hold for 6-5. Sabalenka, under immense pressure, held serve to force a tiebreak that seemed destined to be Rybakina’s. Leading 6-2 with four match points, the Kazakh appeared poised to advance, but a net cord on the first match point shifted the momentum. Sabalenka capitalized, reeling off five straight points, and when Rybakina’s forehand sailed wide, the Belarusian sealed the victory with a final flourish. “Elena is a great player, and we’ve had a lot of tough battles,” Sabalenka said post-match. “I honestly have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky.”
Sabalenka’s humility belied her champion’s resolve. “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,” she reflected. “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.” The victory extended her head-to-head lead over Rybakina to 7-4, a rivalry marked by five of their last six meetings going to three sets, including finals at the 2023 Australian Open and 2024 Brisbane International.
This triumph comes at a pivotal moment for Sabalenka, who has been in scintillating form in 2025. After defending her Australian Open title and winning in Miami and Madrid, she fell just short at the French Open, losing to Coco Gauff in the final. Her Berlin performance, following a straight-sets win over Rebeka Masarova in the second round, signals her readiness for grass, a surface where she has yet to claim a title despite reaching Wimbledon’s semifinals in 2021. “It trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments,” she said of the comeback, a mindset that bodes well for her pursuit of a first Wimbledon crown.
Rybakina, despite the loss, showed why she remains a formidable force. Her 29-11 record in 2025, bolstered by a title in Strasbourg, reflects her consistency, though injuries and withdrawals in 2024 have kept her outside the top 10. Her calm demeanor nearly outmatched Sabalenka’s intensity, but the Belarusian’s clutch performance proved decisive. Rybakina’s seven more total points in the match underscored its razor-thin margins, making the defeat all the more stinging as she prepares for Wimbledon.
Sabalenka now faces 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the semifinals, a matchup she anticipates with excitement. “She’s a very tricky player, has a good touch and a lot of slices,” Sabalenka noted. “Her game fits perfectly on grass; it’s going to be a tough challenge, but I’m excited to face her.” Vondrousova, who defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1, is chasing her first final since her Wimbledon triumph. Meanwhile, the other semifinal pits Liudmila Samsonova, who crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-1, 6-1, against Wang Xinyu, who advanced after Paula Badosa’s injury withdrawal.
Off the court, Sabalenka’s lighter side shone through as she shared a humorous anecdote about agreeing to play mixed doubles with Grigor Dimitrov at the upcoming US Open. “He was begging me to play,” she laughed, noting his persistent texts convinced her to join the revamped event. As she continues her quest for grass-court glory, Sabalenka’s Berlin heroics have set the tennis world abuzz, proving that her blend of power, heart, and a sprinkle of luck makes her a force to watch at Wimbledon and beyond.
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