Marketa Vondrousova delivered a grass-court masterclass to oust world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-4 in Berlin, booking her first final since lifting the Wimbledon in 2023.
The Czech left-hander was in total control, dictating play with fearless shot-making and precise serving to cap a resurgent run that’s seen her bounce back from injury and ranking setbacks.
Sabalenka, fresh from a dramatic win over Elena Rybakina, never found her rhythm. She racked up 30 unforced errors as Vondrousova calmly punished every opening in a 1 hour, 20-minute victory.
Vondrousova saved both break points she faced in the first set, broke twice, and never let the top seed settle. The second set was tighter, with both players exchanging early breaks before it levelled at 4-4.
But where Sabalenka had escaped the day before, she could not repeat the trick. Vondrousova broke for 5-4, then sealed victory with a thumping ace.
“I was feeling really well today, so yeah, I’m just very happy,” said Vondrousova. “When I saw the field, I thought let’s just try to win the first round. And now, here I am.”
Ranked 164th after a three-month injury layoff, Vondrousova’s run in Berlin is a stunning return to form. She now meets rising Chinese star Wang Xinyu, who continued her dream week with a 6-4, 6-1 demolition of Liudmila Samsonova.
Wang, 23, had earlier stunned Coco Gauff and showed no signs of slowing down. After building a 5-2 lead in the first set, she held off a late push from Samsonova, then dominated the second with ruthless efficiency.
“This week has been a dream for me,” Wang beamed. “I’ve been playing unbelievable tennis here. It’s something with Berlin, I guess.”
Sunday’s final promises a battle of comebacks, belief, and bold tennis between two players riding a wave of momentum in the German capital.
