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Wimbledon: Sabalenka reaches final four with comeback victory

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Aryna Sabalenka was put through her paces as she came from a set down to beat Laura Siegemund to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon. 

Sabalenka dropped her first set of the tournament against Siegemund, but roared back to claim a 4-6 6-2 6-4 victory on Centre Court. 

Having already stunned Madison Keys on her way to the last eight, Siegemund threatened another top-10 scalp as she raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening set. 

Sabalenka eventually found her feet and got to within a game of levelling the match, but Siegemund held firm and closed out the first set at the second time of asking. 

But in the second, Sabalenka grabbed control of the contest. She was able to get the better of her German opponent and ensured the match would go the distance. 

However, an early break by Siegemund in the third threatened Sabalenka again, but the world number one responded emphatically to draw level at 3-3 against the serve. 

The final five games saw four breaks of serve, three in the favour of Sabalenka, who sealed the win with a volley at the net, which was followed by a huge roar of relief. 

Data Debrief: Comeback queen marches on

Sabalenka found herself in an unusual position of trailing in sets at Wimbledon this year, but she ensured a maiden title at the All England Club remained on the cards. 

She has now equalled her best run in SW19, having also reached the final four in 2021 and 2023, and the Belarusian will be out to reach the showpiece match for the first time. 

Her victory saw her pick up her 12th win from her first 13 women's singles grand slam quarter-finals played in the Open Era. Only Chris Evert (13) has managed more. 

Sabalenka is now also the second player since 2000 to reach 10 women's singles grand slam semi-finals in a span of 11 consecutive appearances in such events, after Serena Williams.