The tension on Centre Court was electric as Aryna Sabalenka and Laura Siegemund delivered a Wimbledon quarterfinal that no one saw coming. On paper, it should’ve been straightforward. Sabalenka, the world number one and heavy favourite, was chasing her fourth Grand Slam crown. But standing in her path was the unseeded German veteran, ranked 104th, who had quietly and fearlessly marched into her first Wimbledon quarterfinal without dropping a set. And what a fight she brought.
Siegemund came out swinging, catching the Belarusian completely off guard. With masterful drop shots and disruptive slices, she carved up the rhythm of the top seed and snatched the first set, sending a hush through the Centre Court crowd.
Sabalenka, known for her explosive power and relentless aggression, responded like a champion. She blasted her way through the second set, reasserting control with a barrage of winners that left no doubt about her intent to flip the script.
Then came the decider, full of twists, tension, and raw emotion. The 37-year-old German broke first, going up 3-1 with a series of crafty lobs that had the crowd gasping. But her momentum faltered when a missed volley opened the door for Sabalenka to break straight back. The pressure cooker boiled over: Sabalenka smashed her racket against the net in frustration, and Siegemund was hit with a time violation for slow play. They traded breaks again before Aryna Sabalenka finally edged ahead, sealing the match 6-4 in the third.
Afterward, the World No.1 didn’t hold back about how close she felt to the edge. “I need some time to cool down and recover. She pushed me so much. After the first set I was looking at my box like ‘Guys, book the tickets. We’re about to leave this beautiful city,” she admitted in her on-court interview.
Aryna Sabalenka after beating Siegemund to reach Wimbledon SF
“I need some time to cool down and recover. She pushed me so much. After the first set I was looking at my box like ‘Guys, book the tickets. We’re about to leave this beautiful city.’” pic.twitter.com/zepFly1X66
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 8, 2025
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