Vondrousova's Risk Play Pays Off On Grass

The 2023 Wimbledon winner overcomes Sabalenka to reach another grass-court final

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BERLIN - Marketa Vondrousova powered past world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-4 at the Berlin Open on June 21 to book a place in her first final since she won Wimbledon in 2023.

The 25-year-old Czech controlled the tempo from the outset with surprisingly big serving on grass as she wrapped up the win in 1hr 20min.

She broke the Belarusian twice in the first set while saving both break points she faced.

The second set saw the players trade early breaks and Sabalenka saved two break points to stay in touch at 3-2, before the match settled into a rhythm at 4-4.

Sabalenka, who saved four match points against Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, could not repeat that escape as Vondrousova broke for 5-4 and served it out on her first match point with an ace.

"I feel like on grass you have to take risks, you know, and that was the point; I was like, okay, let's try. The match would continue otherwise, so you have to go for it. I was feeling really well today so, yeah, I'm just very happy," Vondrousova said.