Top seed Sab avoids scare as she beats underdog

TOP seed and title favourite Aryna Sabalenka survived an almighty scare against world number 104 Laura Siegemund before reaching the Wimbledon semifinals.

- By ANDY SIMS

Sabalenka, the runaway world number one and a three-time grand slam champion, had not dropped a set on her way to the quarterfinals.

But 37-year-old Siegemund, who had never previously been beyond the second round, almost produced one of the all-time Centre Court shocks after taking the first set and then twice leading by a break in the decider.

However, Sabalenka kept her nerve and her emotions in check as she dug in for a 4-6 6-2 6-4 victory in just under three hours.

“I need some time to cool down and recover, she pushed me so much,” said Sabalenka.

“After the first set I was looking at my box and saying ‘book the tickets, we're out of this place.”