Aryna Sabalenka defeated Madison Keys 6-2 6-4 in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and is now just one match win away from overtaking Iga Swiatek at the top of the WTA rankings.
Facing the player who entered the quarterfinals undefeated on grass this year (9-0), the second-seeded Sabalenka cruised through the first set with breaks in the first and fifth games. In the second set, the reigning Australian Open champion found herself 4-2 down, but then took control by winning four straight games to reach her fourth straight semifinal at a major. In 2021, Sabalenka played Wimbledon semifinals.
For the second consecutive Slam, Sabalenka has a chance to overtake Swiatek at No.1. The Belarusian will need to win her upcoming semifinal which she will contest against Ons Jabeur, who eliminated defending champion Elena Rybakina.
The semifinal pair in the top half of the women’s singles draw was determined yesterday: wildcard Elina Svitolina vs. Marketa Vondrousova.