Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one from Belarus, managed to fend off a strong challenge from Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of the 2025 Berlin grass court tournament.

On the 20th local time, Sabalenka survived four match points during the WTA 500 level event, winning with scores of 7-6 (6), 3-6, 7-6 (6) to secure her spot in the women's singles semifinals.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one from Belarus

The match saw both players engaged in a fierce battle in the deciding set, with breaks of serve exchanged before heading into a tiebreak. Sabalenka found herself down 2-6 in the final tiebreak, just a step away from defeat, but after saving the first match point with a fortunate net cord, her luck seemed to turn, and she went on to win the next six points for a comeback victory.

"She is an amazing player, and our matches are always very close," Sabalenka remarked after the intense 2-hour and 42-minute battle. "I honestly don't know how I won the last few points; maybe it was just good luck."

Elena Rybakina, the talented player from Kazakhstan

In the next round, Sabalenka will face former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. In their seven previous encounters, Sabalenka leads with four victories, although their last meeting on grass dates back to 2018, when Sabalenka won a hard-fought three-set match.