Aryna Sabalenka's Wimbledon preparations were dented as Marketa Vondrousova claimed a surprise win in the semi-finals of the Berlin Open.

Vondrousova, who won Wimbledon in 2023, triumphed 6-2 6-4 in Saturday's clash, needing just 81 minutes to get the job done.

The 25-year-old has dropped down to world number 164 as she has struggled with injuries, but will now prepare for her first WTA Tour-level final since she beat Ons Jabeur at Wimbledon two years ago.

Having had to fend off two break points in the opening game, Sabalenka then squandered two chances of her own in a topsy-turvy start.

Yet Vondrousova clinched the first break in game three, and the double-break followed to put the Czech 5-2 up in the opening set, which she then took at the second time of asking.

An early break in set two gave Sabalenka some momentum, but Vondrousova immediately hit back, with another breakthrough then arriving on her opponent's serve to put her within touching distance of a memorable victory.

And after saving three break points, Vondrousova hammered an ace well beyond Sabalenka's reach to seal her spot in the final, in which she will play 2021 Berlin champion Liudmila Samsonova or qualifier Wang Xinyu.

This was Vondrousova's first victory over a current world number one, as she levelled her career head-to-head record with Sabalenka to 4-4.

Vondrousova, who had won only six games this season heading into this tournament, was previously 0-3 against players ranked as the WTA's top dog at the time of the match.

A victory in Sunday's final would propel Vondrousova back into the top 100, and give her plenty of confidence ahead of the season's third major.