Aryna Sabalenka in Total Disbelief After Overcoming 4 Match Points Against Elena Rybakina in Berlin

Aryna Sabalenka came back from 2-6 down in the tiebreak to beat Elena Rybakina in Berlin.

Aryna Sabalenka in Total Disbelief After Overcoming 4 Match Points Against Elena Rybakina in Berlin

Aryna Sabalenka (image via Instagram/WTA)

Aryna Sabalenka admitted that she got ‘lucky’ against Elena Rybakina in Berlin. The Belarusian star made an astonishing comeback from 2-6 down in the final set tiebreak to win the match and reach the semifinals.

In the post-match interview, Sabalenka claimed that she has had tough battles with Rybakina in the past, and this was one of them. However, she admitted that luck factor was involved in this case. Sabalenka said in a post-match interview:

Elena is a great player. We had a lot of tough battles, in the very last stages of Slams…she’s an amazing player. I honestly have no idea how I was able to win those points. I think I got lucky.

Rybakina was once in strong contention for the WTA No. 1 spot. Known for her immense power, many expected her to stay consistently within the top three. However, her ranking slipped due to physical struggles and frequent withdrawals throughout 2024. A coaching change and her split with longtime coach Stefano Vukov also affected her form.

In contrast, Sabalenka has maintained a steady rise, challenging Iga Swiatek for the top spot. Even without winning every event, Sabalenka regularly reaches the late stages of tournaments. Like Rybakina, she plays with great power, but her shot selection and decision-making on court give her an edge.

Aryna Sabalenka escapes Elena Rybakina

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka pulled off a dramatic win in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Tennis Open, defeating Elena Rybakina. Facing a 6-2 deficit in the final-set tiebreak, Sabalenka won six consecutive points to seal a 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(6) victory. The comeback secured her spot in her eighth semifinal of the season.

Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, US Open Tennis)

The match lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes and added another exciting chapter to their rivalry. Sabalenka now holds a 7-4 lead in their head-to-head. The two had alternated wins in their last five encounters. Rybakina appeared close to victory, especially after turning a third-set deficit into a lead and getting within one point of the semifinals.

A crucial moment came on match point when Sabalenka’s backhand hit the net cord and trickled over. That fortunate shot changed the momentum. She followed it with a strong serve that barely clipped Rybakina’s racquet and a powerful backhand that nearly ended the rally outright.

On the final point, Rybakina sent a forehand wide, and Sabalenka closed out the match two points later. The win sets up a semifinal clash with another Grand Slam champion—2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova, who is showing strong form again this season.

Aryna Sabalenka talks on Grigor Dimitrov mixed doubles partnership

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka recently revealed that Grigor Dimitrov convinced her to play mixed doubles at the upcoming US Open. She joked that Dimitrov was “begging” her to team up before she eventually agreed. The duo will compete in the revamped mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows this August.

Grigor Dimitrov and Aryna Sabalenka
Grigor Dimitrov and Aryna Sabalenka (via The Tennis Letter)

He was just like texting me non-stop. He was begging me to play, and I was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to play.’ But he was begging and I was like: ‘Ok, you got it,’ He messaged me, and I didn’t really know about the mixed doubles situation at the US Open. I was like: ‘What are you talking about? Why would we play mixed doubles?’ And he was explaining to me how it was before the US Open. So I was like, ‘But nobody approached me, so I don’t know if I am invited.’ So we figured, and yeah, we decided probably straight after the Australian Open.

This new format places the mixed doubles competition before the singles main draw. It features some high-profile pairings, including Carlos Alcaraz with Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud. Most of the WTA top 10 will participate, with only Coco Gauff currently not entered.

Sabalenka admitted she was initially unaware of the format changes. It took some convincing from Dimitrov for her to commit. Speaking during the Berlin Open, she said she finally agreed to the partnership once she understood the updated structure of the event.

This tournament offers Sabalenka a shot at completing her US Open title collection. She won the singles crown in 2024 and the women’s doubles title in 2019 alongside Elise Mertens. Though she hasn’t competed in doubles at a major since 2021, the new mixed doubles format presents a fresh opportunity.

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