​Aryna Sabalenko made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon 2023, the Belarusian athlete imposed her power game against the 25th seeded American Madison Keys. It was a straight-sets success, 6-2, 6-4, for the en-title champion from Melbourne.

Aryna Sabalenko in the semifinals of Wimbledon-2023 – defeated Madison Keys

Set I

Aryna entered the court determined to impose her strong game: she served hard, won many “easy” points from the start, dictated the pace from the baseline with her brilliant forehand and gave her opponent very little chance to demonstrate her qualities.

Sabalenko made two breaks, did not give up her serve in the first set, the leg that authoritatively returned to her in the 38th minute, the score 6-2.

Madison tried to send as much center as possible to keep her opponent from opening up corners, but she was successful too few times to really trouble Sabalenka.

The duel for strength (and Keys is recognized in the scheme as a player who hits the ball very hard) went to the Belarusian without appeal.

Aryna committed just five unforced errors, won all three points played near the gate, and exuded strength and confidence in the first set.

Set II

Madison made some adjustments in the tactical plan: she took a step forward, hit the ball from the rise, began to open the court, and the tactics brought her to the fore in the second set (she was clearly much braver). The American managed a break, and then broke away for 4-2. It seemed that the mantle was in his hands.

However, Sabalenka did not give up easily: she used more slices (and how well they turned out on several lines), had a good feel for her opponent’s serve, and the table was again on her side.

From a score of 2-4, Arina reached 5-4 and submitted another qualification for the semi-finals of Wimbledon. Without feeling emotions (at least, she didn’t make it clear), Sabalenko finished the match from the start: 6-4. The game at “Central” lasted one hour and 27 minutes.

Know:

• Previously, Sabalenka and Keys met twice with a draw score of 1:1. In 2018, Arina won in the quarterfinals in Cincinnati with a score of 6-3, 6-4, and in 2021 in Berlin, Madison won with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.

• Arina also reached the semi-finals of the All England Club in the 2021 edition: she was defeated by Karolina Plishkova.

• Arina Sabalenko will meet the winner of the Ons Zhaber (6th seed) – Olena Rybakina (3rd seed) match to advance to Saturday’s grand final.

Aryna Sabalenko’s path to the semifinals of Wimbledon-2023

Quarters: 6-2, 6-4 over Madison Keys

The best result: 6-4, 6-0 with Kateryna Alexandrova

III round: 6-2, 6-3 with Anna Blinkova

Second round: 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 with Varvara Grachova

First round: 6-3, 6-1 with Panna Udvardi.