Billie Jean King praises Laura Siegemund’s plan that ‘was killing’ Aryna Sabalenka

Speaking to BBC Sport, King explained how Siegemund caused Sabalenka problems.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster. People talk about being strong mentally, but that’s what we think. It’s what we feel which is more important,” she said.

“With [Aryna] Sabalenka we saw every emotion possible, the most important thing is near the end she started to slice her forehand. That is grass court tennis.

“[Laura] Siegemund was killing her with grass court tennis. She was giving her dinks. She was giving her no power, nothing. It was driving Sabalenka crazy.”

It was a tactic that paid off, especially in the third set, where Siegemund used the slice forehand extensively.

King enjoyed watching the match as Sabalenka and Siegemund put in a spectacle for the crowd, with both players clearly giving it their all.

Tracy Austin believes Laura Siegemund took too long between points

Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tracy Austin noted another aspect of Siegemund’s game that stood out – the time she took between points.

“She really was [taking a long time]. From Hawk-eye they told us she was taking 35 seconds, it’s supposed to be 25 seconds,” Austin said.

“So she did get a warning and everybody knows that’s what happens.”

Despite that, the game plan was effective for long stretches, and King acknowledged how Siegemund used the grass-court conditions to her advantage.

“That’s grass court tennis. On a different surface don’t do it, but on this court, bad bounces, it stays so low,” she said. “It just drives you insane.”

Sabalenka eventually found a way through, using her own slices and adjusting her tactics late in the match.

“She was not in rhythm the whole day and she figured it out. I have got to give her some of her own junk, that’s what she figured out. It changed everything,” King added.