Vondrousova inflicts grass disappointment on Sabalenka

Former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova began finding grass-court form at precisely the right moment on Saturday as the Czech knocked world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka out in the semi-finals of the WTA Berlin event.

No. 164 Vondrousova, who triumphed at the All England club two years ago, has been on and off the Tour due to shoulder injuries over the past two seasons.

But she showed her potential in the 6-2, 6-4 defeat of the top seed, who also lost the Roland Garros final to Coco Gauff before stepping onto the grass.

The winner moved through to her first final since Wimbledon, 2023, in less than 90 minutes.

The Czech earned her first career defeat of a world No. 1 after losing her first three against the game’s elite. 

“I didn’t play for a long time,” Vondrousova said.”I’m just happy to be back healthy, and so grateful to play these matches.

“When I saw the field here, I was like, ‘OK, let’s just try to win the first round,’ and then, you know, now this is happening.”

Main photo:-Marketa Vondrousova was the first unseeded player to win Ladies Singles Title at Wimbledon, 2023 – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd