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Marketa Vondrousova beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the Berlin Open to reach her first final since winning the 2023 Wimbledon title. <\/b><\/p>\n
Vondrousova, who has been working her way back from shoulder surgery and is ranked 164th in the world, came through 6-2 6-4 and will play Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu in Sunday’s showpiece in Germany.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t play for a long time. I am just happy to be back healthy and so grateful to play these matches,” Czech Vondrousova said on the WTA Tour website.<\/p>\n
“When I saw the field here, I was like, ‘OK, let’s just try to win the first round’ and then, you know, now this is happening.”<\/p>\n
Sabalenka saved two break points in the opening game but was broken in her second service game and again to trail 5-2 in the first set.<\/p>\n
The three-time Grand Slam champion sealed a break at the first time of asking to lead 2-0 in the second but Vondrousova hit back immediately.<\/p>\n
A tense scrap ensued with the set staying on serve until 25-year-old Vondrousova broke for 5-4 and then served out the match.<\/p>\n
Wang beat 2021 Berlin Open champion Liudmila Samsonova 6-4 6-1 in the other semi-final to reach her first WTA singles final.<\/p>\n
“This week has been a dream for me,” Wang said. “Coming into every match, I wasn’t expecting anything, it was really just to enjoy the stage.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n