Sabalenka To 2025 US Open Semifinals After Vondrousova Withdraws

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The highly anticipated quarterfinal match between Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova at the 2025 US Open has been canceled.

2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova surprisingly withdrew from the crucial match.

The decision was made just two hours before the scheduled start time at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Vondrousova's withdrawal was due to a knee injury she suffered during the warm-up session, which automatically advanced Aryna Sabalenka, the defending US Open champion, to the semifinals without a match.

Sabalenka is now one step closer to defending her title at this Grand Slam tournament.

Vondrousova has put on a remarkable performance, defeating two top-10 players in her previous matches.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka will face a tough challenge in the semifinals against Jessica Pegula.

2024 final 🏆2025 semifinal 🤩Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula's paths cross again at the business end of the US Open. pic.twitter.com/BIgHeGDjL3

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2025

Breaking: Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from the US Open.Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula in the semifinal, a rematch of their 2024 US Open Final match. pic.twitter.com/SRDh3ili7o

— ESPN (@espn) September 2, 2025

Marketa Vondrousova was forced to prematurely end her run at the 2025 US Open due to a knee injury.

The incident occurred during a warm-up session on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, where Vondrousova was in pain and left the practice court in tears.

In an official statement, Vondrousova expressed her regret over the cancellation of the match.

“I tried my best to take the court today, but during the warm-up, I felt again my knee, and after consultation with the tournament doctor decided not to risk aggravating the injury,” Vondrousova, a 26-year-old left-hander from the Czech Republic, said in a statement released by the USTA.

“I appreciate all the support this tournament and apologize to the fans who were looking forward to the match.”

After consulting with the tournament doctor, she decided not to risk aggravating the existing injury.

This knee injury adds to a long list of injuries that have hampered the 26-year-old's career.

Previously, Vondrousova underwent shoulder surgery in 2024 and wrist surgery in 2022, which sidelined her from the tour for extended periods.

Despite this, Vondrousova has shown impressive form throughout the 2025 US Open.

She defeated two top-10 players, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina, to reach the quarterfinals.

This success makes her one of only three Czech women to reach that stage at Flushing Meadows.

The cancellation of the match directly makes Sabalenka advances to the semifinals and a major advantage for the defending US Open champion in her title defense.

In the semifinals, Sabalenka will face a familiar opponent, Jessica Pegula.

This match is a repeat of the previous year's US Open final, where Sabalenka won in straight sets.

Notably, Sabalenka is only the third woman in the professional era to receive a walkover into a Grand Slam semifinal.

She joins big names like Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, who received a similar advantage at the 1992 Australian Open, and Fabiola Zuluaga at the 2004 Australian Open.

Despite the advantage, Sabalenka still expressed deep sympathy for Marketa Vondrousova.

“So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through,” Sabalenka wrote on social media.

“She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.”

The 2025 US Open will be the 145th edition of this prestigious tennis tournament and the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.

The tournament is held on the iconic outdoor hardcourts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.

Each year, the US Open consistently delivers drama and world-class matches.

The tournament's main draw will be expanded to 15 days of competition and will feature the first opening weekend for the main draw in the Open Era, aligning with the Australian Open and French Open.

Furthermore, the wheelchair event will return after being absent in 2024 due to a scheduling conflict with the Paris Paralympic Games.