China's Wang Xinyu powers into semifinals at WTA Berlin Open

Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu reached her maiden grass-court semifinal at the WTA Berlin Open on Friday, securing the spot when Spain's World No. 10 Paula Badosa retired while trailing 6-1.

In a rematch of their Australian Open clash earlier this year—which Wang lost in straight sets—the 23-year-old Chinese delivered a dominant performance. She broke Badosa three times to race through the first set. Early in the second set, with Wang leading 40-0 in the opening game, Badosa signaled her retirement due to a right hip injury.

Wang's run to the semifinals has been remarkable. After navigating two rounds of qualifying, including an upset victory over two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur, she shocked World No. 16 Daria Kasatkina in the first round. Her biggest triumph came in the second round, where she upset newly crowned French Open champion and World No. 2 Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3—her first career win against a Top 2 player.

"Playing in the qualifiers is definitely an advantage," Wang said. "Getting more matches, especially as we transition from clay to grass, is crucial. Winning builds confidence and helps me adapt to the surface faster."

Wang will next face Russia's Liudmila Samsonova in the semifinals as she continues her breakthrough grass-court campaign.