Vondrousova in final after shock Sabalenka victory

Marketa Vondrousova brushed aside world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Berlin on Saturday to reach her first final since lifting the Wimbledon title two years ago.

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The 25-year-old Czech, ranked 164 in the world rankings, dominated Sabalenka 6-2, 6-4, to set up a title clash with Wang Xinyu after the Chinese qualifier downed Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 6-1.

Vondrousova plummeted down the rankings from sixth after missing several months with a left shoulder injury for which she underwent surgery last year.

"I didn’t play for a long time,’ said Vondrousova, who was appearing in her first WTA semi-final since April last year.

“I’m just happy to be back healthy, and so grateful to play these matches.