Marka Vondrousova has booked her first final spot since winning Wimbledon in 2023, featuring the 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 traded breaks early and Sabalenka kept in touch 3-2 by saving two breakpoints before the match settled into rhythm 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. I was. Well, let’s give it a try. Otherwise I’ll try, so you have to go for it.
“I haven’t played in a long time so I’m so happy that you’re healthy and grateful to play these games. When I saw the field, I tried to make sure I win the first round and this is happening right now. 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. Currently ranked 164th, the Czech Republic has not seeded Berlin after battling injuries since July 2024 and missing three months of this season with a shoulder injury.
Vondrousova will play Qualifier King Xinyu in Sunday’s final after a Chinese player reached the first final of her career by beating Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-4 6-1 in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
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 enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital.
“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… We should always celebrate before the finals, as if you lose it, we won’t celebrate anything for this incredible week.”
