Aryna Sabalenka reflects on 'crazy comeback' in Berlin Open quarter-final win over Elena Rybakina - 'I'm proud of myself'

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There was drama in the Berlin Open quarter-finals as a seemingly down and out Aryna Sabalenka rallied from the brink of defeat to beat Elena Rybakina in a long and memorable match. The Belarusian, who will play Marketa Vondrousova in her semi-final, said she "got lucky" but added that she was "proud" of her "fighting" performance in the three-set victory.

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Aryna Sabalenka admitted she "had no idea" how she was able to beat Elena Rybakina in their Berlin Open quarter-final after coming from 6-2 down in the final set tie-break.

After winning the first set 7-6, Sabalenka lost the second 3-6 and then found herself seemingly on the brink of defeat in the third.

But the world No. 1 won six straight points to secure a 7-6(6) 3-6 7-6(6) victory and reach the last four.

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"Elena, she's a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles," said Sabalenka afterwards.

"I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky, to be honest.

"I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago, I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am.

"It's amazing to win matches like that, and I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point."

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The match was a gruelling two hours and 42 minutes of combative tennis, with Sabalenka edging a close first set via a tie-break.

Rybakina responded with an impressive second set, breaking Sabalenka's serve and taking the ascendancy.

Momentum looked to be in the Kazakhstani's favour heading into the decisive final set and, though she found herself 4-5 down, she was on the brink of victory in the tie-break.

But it was Sabalenka who coped best with the pressure, rousing herself to secure an unexpected victory with no margin for error.

Sabalenka will meet Marketa Vondrousova, who beat Ons Jabeur in the last eight, in the semi-finals.

"She's a very tricky player, has a good touch and a lot of slices," Sabalenka said of her next opponent.

"Her game fits perfectly on grass; it's going to be a tough challenge, but I'm excited to face her. I'm looking forward [to it] and cannot wait."

China’s Wang Xinyu, after seeing quarter-final opponent Paula Badosa retire, will meet Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the tournament's other semi-final.

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