Aryna Sabalenka survives Laura Siegemund spell to reach Wimbledon semis

LONDON – Aryna Sabalenka was dragged into a bygone era on July 8 and tormented for almost three hours on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, before finally imposing her 21st-century power game to beat mesmeric Laura Siegemund for a place in the semi-finals.

The Belarusian needed all her powers of ball bludgeoning and belief to emerge from a befuddling battle, somehow the victor 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

“I need some time to cool down and recover. She pushed me so much,” said Sabalenka. “After the first set, I was looking at my box like... ‘Guys, book the tickets. We’re about to leave this beautiful city’.

“She’s really making everyone work against her. Going into the match against her, you know you have to work for every point. Doesn’t matter if you’re a big server or hitter. You have to work. You have to run.

“I was trying to focus on myself and make sure I don’t give her that energy. I didn’t want her to see that I was annoyed by her. Even if I was a little bit at some points.”

For much of the spellbinding contest, it looked as though the world No. 1 would find no answers to Siegemund’s sorcery as the 37-year-old German veteran chipped and chopped the world’s best player to pieces, leaving the top seed’s power game neutered on the turf.

Ranked a lowly 104th in the world, Siegemund drew on the game of a gentler age to bring low the mighty Belarusian, casting spells of slice and sleight with vintage flair.

But slowly, if not exactly surely, the seemingly stronger Sabalenka, at 10 years younger, managed to wrestle back the upper hand, and now awaits 13th seed Amanda Anisimova, who edged out Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 7-6 (11-9) in another quarter-final.

In the men’s draw, fifth seed Taylor Fritz reached the semi-finals for the first time after coming through a topsy-turvy four-setter against Karen Khachanov where the American seemed to be cruising, but then had to show all his fighting spirit.

Fritz, in fine grass form after wins in Stuttgart and Eastbourne, triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) and must have thought he was in for an easier passage as he ripped through the first two sets giving up only seven points in his 10 service games.

Russia’s Khachanov, the 17th seed also seeking a first Wimbledon semi-finals, then seemed to work out how to deal with the American’s serve as he won eight of the next nine games to take the third set and move a break up in the fourth.

Fritz, however, regrouped to immediately break back, regain control of his service games and triumphed in the decisive tiebreak.

Earlier on July 7, Jannik Sinner progressed to the quarter-finals after a tearful Grigor Dimitrov pulled out injured while in total control of their match.

World No. 1 Sinner and seven-time champion Djokovic remain on course for a mouthwatering semi-final clash, but the top seed’s match on Centre Court was overshadowed by Dimitrov’s heartbreak.

The Italian was staring at the exit door trailing 3-6, 5-7, 2-2 before the Bulgarian 19th seed pulled up holding his right pectoral muscle and was unable to continue.

Sinner rushed to his aid but his 34-year-old opponent was barely able to wave to acknowledge the crowd’s warm ovation.

“Honestly I don’t know what to say,” said Sinner. “He is an incredible player. I think we all saw this today. He’s been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible player, a good friend of mine also. We understand each other very well off the court too.

“Seeing him in this position, honestly, if there would be a chance that he could play the next round, he would deserve it.”

The injury-prone Dimitrov has now been forced to retire in each of his past five Grand Slam appearances.

Sinner himself suffered a nasty fall in the opening game of the fourth-round clash and appeared to be suffering discomfort in his right elbow.

The three-time Grand Slam champion had been in regal form in the first three rounds at the All England Club, dropping just 17 games. Sinner will next face American 10th seed Ben Shelton in the last eight on July 9. AFP, REUTERS