Aryna Sabalenka says exactly what she thinks of Laura Siegemund's tennis after knocking her out of Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka has just played one of the trickiest, most awkward matches in recent memory, coming out on top to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.

It marks the third time she has reached this stage, but never before has she been such an overwhelming favourite.

Alas, that pressure, along with an inspired Laura Siegemund, threatened to end her run today.

Aryna Sabalenka had to summon everything to halt the wily veteran, and spoke about her opponent’s game style straight afterwards.

Aryna Sabalenka reacts after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals

Speaking immediately after her draining victory over the tricky German, Sabalenka was noticeably exhausted.

And with good reason, as she began by stating: “It was a real task and honestly I need some time to cool down and recover from this match,” she began chuckling. “She pushed me so much, and honestly after the first set, I was looking at my box thinking book the tickets, I think we are about to leave this beautiful city.

“She played an incredible tournament and match. I am just super happy with the win. The atmosphere was another level. Thank you so much for your support, you don’t understand how much you help me stay in the game and keep fighting just so I can enjoy playing in front of you all.”

Then, touching on Siegemund further, Sabalenka continued: “It’s not like it’s annoying me. It’s a smart game. It’s really making everyone work against her. Going into the match against her, you know you are going to have to work for every point, and it doesn’t matter if you are a big server or a big hitter, you will have to run and earn the win. And honestly, I was just trying to focus on myself and make sure I don’t give her that energy.

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“I didn’t want to see that I was annoyed by her or anything, even if I was a little bit at some points. But I was just trying not to give her that energy.”

Sabalenka admitted she copied one shot from Novak Djokovic before the match, but the 27-year-old had to use every shot in her arsenal to triumph today.

One of the best wins of Aryna Sabalenka’s year

Despite Siegemund being the 104th-ranked player in the world, this undoubtedly remains one of Sabalenka’s best wins of the year.

After all, there are a handful of players whose games are perfectly suited to causing chaos on the unpredictable grass.

Tatjana Maria showcased this brilliantly on her run to the Queen’s title, and Siegemund was next up, another 37-year-old German, to mimic such a feat.

Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Knocking out Peyton Stearns, Leylah Fernandez and Madison Keys en route to today’s clash with Sabalenka, she sliced her way to a career-best finish at a Grand Slam.

And, at one point, she was poised to knock out the world number one today too.

Sabalenka showed all of her mental toughness to stay in touching distance of Siegemund, and has more than earned her spot in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

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