Czech tennis player Marketa Vondrousova has made headlines by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the Berlin Open, marking a significant return to form as she reaches her first final since winning the Wimbledon title in 2023. Vondrousova, who is currently ranked 164th and is making a comeback from shoulder surgery, showcased her talent with a convincing score of 6-2, 6-4.
Reflecting on her journey back to competitive tennis, Vondrousova expressed her joy at regaining her health and competing again. “I didn’t play for a long time. I am just happy to be back healthy and so grateful to play these matches,” she shared on the WTA Tour website. Her determination was evident as she set her sights on the first round, leaving her pleasantly surprised by her success in the tournament.
Despite a strong start from Sabalenka, who managed to save two break points early on, Vondrousova capitalized on her opponent’s vulnerabilities. After breaking Sabalenka in her second service game, Vondrousova took control, ultimately breaking again at a critical moment to serve out the match.
In the other semi-final, Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu achieved her own milestone by defeating 2021 Berlin Open champion Liudmila Samsonova with a dominant performance, winning 6-4, 6-1. “This week has been a dream for me,” Wang remarked, adding that her approach was simply to enjoy the competition without any expectations.
The final promises to be an exciting matchup between Vondrousova and Wang, both poised to make their mark in the WTA circuit. Vondrousova’s return to the final stage of a tournament, especially after overcoming recent challenges, is an inspiring testament to her resilience and determination in the sport.