Sabalenka survives huge scare against superb Siegemund to return to Wimbledon semi-finals

Aryna Sabalenka kept alive her hopes for a maiden Wimbledon title by coming through an epic encounter against Laura Siegemund, eventually defeating the German 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 having twice trailed by a break in a gripping final set.

It was an extraordinary escape act from the world No 1, whose back was against the wall in the face of superb grass-court play from her wily opponent.

Siegemund used all her variety to frustrate Sabalenka, with devilishly low-bouncing slice and regular drop shots upsetting the rhythm of the Belarusian.

The German also took a controversially lengthy break between the first and second sets, leaving her opponent to ruminate on the task at hand as she trailed by a set to love.

A powerful, display in the second set put Sabalenka back on track, but the decider looked for a long time to be heading the way of Siegemund as she refused to let her level dip.

The German broke for a 3-1 lead, before breaking again at 3-3 after Sabalenka had regained parity.

But the world No 1 showed her indomitable tenacity by taking the last three games in a row to move into a third Wimbledon semi-final by the skin of her teeth.

“That was a real test. I need some time to cool down and recover after this,” Sabalenka said after the win.

“She pushed me so much. After the first set I was looking at my box and thinking, ‘book the tickets, we are about to leave this beautiful place’. She played an incredible tournament and match. I’m just super happy with the match and win.

“The atmosphere was another level. Thank you guys for your support, you don’t understand how much you helped me to stay in the game and enjoy playing in front of you all.”

Sabalenka, ranked No 1, will face the winner of the match between American Amanda Anisimova, the No 13 seed, and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next.

In the previous rounds of The Championships, the Belarusian defeated Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 24 seed (6-4, 7-6 (4)), Englishwoman Emma Raducanu (7-6 (6), 6-4), Czech Marie Bouzkova (7-6 (4), 6-4) and Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine (6-1, 7-5).

Siegemund, ranked No 104, won against Argentinian lucky loser Solana Sierra (6-3, 6-2), American Madison Keys, the No 6 seed (6-3, 6-3), Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 29 seed (6-2, 6-3) and American Peyton Stearns (6-4, 6-2) earlier in the tournament.

London (Grand Slam), other last-eight results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 53.500.000, most recent results first):

• Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic
• Iga Swiatek vs. Liudmila Samsonova
• Amanda Anisimova vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: tuesday