After playing in the Wimbledon semi-final two years ago, Aryna Sabalenka is back in the semi-final following a convincing win over Madison Keys.
Sabalenka has been a really strong player on grass proving it in 2021 when she was one set away from a final. She didn't play last year due to the ban, something that affected her more than she let on initially. Back this year, Sabalenka continued where she left off as she smashed a few players en route to the semi-final.
One of those was Madison Keys who proved no match for the Belarusian whom many considered the most likely to win the event alongside defending champion Elena Rybakina. She certainly played like it today taking an early lead in the first set and never looking back.
Keys is a streaky player capable of hitting like the best on the WTA Tour but she didn't quite have that level today after previously eliminating 16-year-old super-talent Mirra Andreeva. Much of that had to do with Sabalenka just being incredible in her own right which was expected. She's been playing on that level since the start of the year basically.
Keys had a minor chance in the opening set but she didn't use it as Sabalenka took it 6-2 behind 9 winners. She played a fair bit better in the second set finally hitting the ball as well as she can. Sabalenka dropped a bit, and we saw the American on top for a little bit, 4-2.
It didn't last long as Sabalenka got the warning, she raised her level and secured a major turnaround. Sabalenka won four games in a row to finish things off in two sets. Ultimately a really solid win for the Belarusian.
The final score was 6-2 6-4 behind two aces and 17 winners. She will face either Ons Jabeur or Elena Rybakina in the next round. If she wins that match, she will become the new World No. 1 as she's now only one win away from that. As always, the Belarusian was in a very good mood after the match, and she showed it during the on-court interview.
"I can't wait to play my second semifinals at Wimbledon, and hopefully, I can do better than the last time. I was really happy I was able to win this second set, and thank you so much for the atmosphere, even though you support her more, but I still enjoyed playing in front of you guys."
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