Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic staged a remarkable comeback to defeat top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Saturday night. The match was interrupted by a lengthy weather delay, with lightning and rain forcing a three-and-a-half-hour stoppage while Bouzkova trailed 2-1 in the third set. Upon resuming play, Bouzkova seized momentum, breaking Sabalenka’s serve in the first game and again to take a 5-3 lead. She then closed out the match with a love game, sending the Australian Open champion packing. Sabalenka was making her return to the tour after withdrawing from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury.
Bouzkova will now face Paula Badosa of Spain in the final. Badosa, ranked as high as No. 2, reached the final after a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory over Caroline Dolehide of the United States in the first semifinal. Badosa has been struggling with a back injury that sidelined her for six months last year and has slipped to 62nd in the rankings. This will be Bouzkova’s first WTA 500 final, her only previous title coming in Prague in 2002.
The men’s semifinals saw a clash of American talent, with second-seeded Ben Shelton facing 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli of Italy, while fourth-seeded Sebastian Korda took on No. 5 Frances Tiafoe in an all-American battle.
