Marita Vondrousova has booked the place in her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023, featuring past world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-4 at the Berlin Open on Saturday.
Vondrousova concluded his victory in an hour and 20 minutes, controlling the tempo from the start with a big serving on the grass. She broke the Belarusian twice in the first set, saving both breakpoints she faced.
In the second set, players got an early break, and Sabalenka saved two breakpoints and stayed in touch at 3-2 before settling into rhythm at 4-4.
Sabalenka, who saved four match points against Elena Ribakina on Friday, was unable to repeat that escape as Bondorsova broke 5-4 and offered it in her first match point with the ace.
“I feel like I have to take a risk on the grass. That was the point. “Otherwise the game will continue, so you have to go for it. I felt really good today, so yeah, I’m very happy.
“I haven’t played in a long time so I’m very happy to be healthy and grateful to play these games. When I saw the field, I tried to make sure I win the first round and now this is happening. So I’m grateful for the support.”
Sabalenka struggled to find consistency and earned 30 unlimited errors, but Vondrousova continued to be measured and limited his tally to 12.
Despite his previous victory over Sabalenka, this was Bondorsova’s first career victory over No. 1. The Czech player, currently ranked 164th, has fought injuries since July 2024 and has acquired Berlin after losing a season for three months with shoulder injuries this season.
Vondrousova will play Qualifier King Xinyu in Sunday’s final after a Chinese player defeated Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-1 in one hour, 6-1, 15 minutes, 6-1.
After securing the first break in the match, Wang built a 5-2 lead and Samsonova came back to narrow the gap. However, the king was held tightly and transformed her fourth set point and broke again and closed the set.
The King ruled the second set, defeating 3-1 to save two breakpoints to hold it 4-1. She broke again 5-1 on her fourth chance and settled in to the game.
Ranked 49th in the world, the 23-year-old King enjoys a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Kokogoff in the 16th round.
“This week has been a dream for me. I’ve been playing incredible tennis here. I don’t know, I think it’s something in Berlin,” Wang said. “At every game here, I was expecting nothing. You know, for me it was just to really enjoy the stage.