Aryna Sabalenka Equals Serena Williams’ Legendary Feat with Commanding Win Over Siegemund to Storm into Wimbledon Semi-Finals…Read More…
In a spectacular show of power, precision, and poise on the grass courts of the All England Club, Aryna Sabalenka has not only advanced to the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2025, but she has also etched her name alongside one of the sport’s greatest icons — Serena Williams. With her emphatic victory over Germany’s Laura Siegemund, Sabalenka has matched a significant record held by Williams, further cementing her position as one of the most formidable forces in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka, the second seed, triumphed in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, displaying the kind of dominance and composure that has become her trademark in recent seasons. This victory marks her 21st consecutive Grand Slam match win — a streak that ties Serena Williams’ remarkable record set in 2015 — and sends her into her third Wimbledon semi-final, a career-best showing at the iconic tournament.
A Match Defined by Control and Confidence
From the very first point, Sabalenka was locked in. Her serve — long considered one of the most explosive in the women’s game — was firing on all cylinders. She racked up 8 aces and won over 80% of her first-serve points, leaving Siegemund struggling to find rhythm or opportunity to break.
Siegemund, known for her variety and clever shot-making, attempted to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm with drop shots and slice backhands. However, Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline play, combined with surprisingly deft net touches, kept her firmly in control of the match. Sabalenka broke serve twice in the first set and added two more breaks in the second, closing out the contest in just under 90 minutes.
“I’m incredibly proud of how I played today,” Sabalenka said in her post-match interview. “Laura is a tough opponent — she mixes things up a lot, but I stayed focused and stuck to my game plan. It’s always special to be here at Wimbledon, and to make the semi-finals again is an amazing feeling.”
Matching a Legend
While the victory itself was impressive, what truly elevated the moment was the historical significance: with this win, Sabalenka equaled Serena Williams’ record of 21 straight Grand Slam match wins, a feat Williams achieved during her dominant 2015 season.
“That’s crazy,” Sabalenka said when told of the milestone. “Serena is a legend — someone I grew up watching and admiring. To be mentioned in the same breath as her is unbelievable. I’m honored.”
Williams, who retired from professional tennis in 2022, set the benchmark for power and consistency across all surfaces. Sabalenka’s current run — which includes titles at the 2025 Australian Open and 2025 French Open — mirrors that same relentless form. She now stands just two wins away from a third consecutive Grand Slam title, and the coveted chance to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam — a feat not seen in women’s tennis since Steffi Graf in 1988.
Road to the Semi-Finals
Sabalenka’s path to the last four has been nothing short of commanding. She began her Wimbledon campaign with convincing wins over British wild card Harriet Dart and American Alison Riske. In the third round, she dispatched the dangerous Liudmila Samsonova in a three-set thriller that tested her resolve. She followed up with clinical straight-sets wins over Daria Kasatkina in the fourth round and now Siegemund in the quarterfinals.
Her semi-final opponent will be world No. 3 Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The highly anticipated clash promises to be a blockbuster, with both women boasting big serves and aggressive groundstrokes. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 4-3, but Rybakina won their most recent meeting on grass.
A New Era of Dominance?
Sabalenka’s rise has been steady, but in 2025, she has elevated her game to unprecedented levels. Her fitness, mental strength, and tactical maturity have all improved, making her a well-rounded and dangerous competitor on any surface.
“She’s the most complete player on tour right now,” former champion Martina Navratilova commented during the BBC broadcast. “She’s found the balance between aggression and control, and her confidence is through the roof.”
The Belarusian star has been candid about her journey, including past struggles with inconsistency and emotional volatility. But now, she radiates calm intensity — a trait many believe is the secret behind her current success.
“I’ve worked really hard with my team to improve every part of my game, including my mindset,” Sabalenka said. “Every match is a new challenge, and I’m just trying to enjoy the moment.”
Eyes on History
With her place in the semi-finals secured and her name etched next to Serena Williams in the record books, Sabalenka now turns her attention to the bigger prize: the Wimbledon title.
If she defeats Rybakina and goes on to win the final, she will be just one major away from completing the Grand Slam — winning all four majors in a single calendar year. In a season already brimming with milestones, that would be the crowning jewel.
As fans and analysts continue to speculate about her historic run, Sabalenka remains grounded.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead,” she said. “I just want to give my best every time I step on the court. Wimbledon is a dream, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Whether or not she goes all the way, one thing is certain: Aryna Sabalenka has arrived at the summit of the sport — and she’s here to stay.
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