Sabalenka Stages Dramatic Comeback to Reach Berlin Open Semifinals Against Pegula

World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame a seemingly insurmountable deficit to defeat Czech prospect Nikola Bartunkova 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 at the Berlin Open, earning a semifinal spot against American Jessica Pegula. The 28-year-old Belarusian trailed by a set and four games before launching one of the most dramatic reversals of her season, winning eight of the next ten games to force a deciding set.

The Match

Bartunkova, ranked 62nd and just 20 years old, controlled the early exchanges with distinctive flat strokes and a commanding return of serve that left Sabalenka searching for answers. By the fourth game of the second set, the young Czech had established a 4-0 lead, prompting some to question whether the world number one could find her way back into the contest. Sabalenka's serving had become erratic—at one point a delivery struck the frame of her racquet and sailed out—while her groundstrokes produced uncharacteristic errors.

A turning point arrived during a crucial holding game at 4-0 down. Sabalenka approached the net on her serve and found the shift in approach provided a spark of confidence. She saved four set points in that game alone, converting break-back opportunities as Bartunkova attempted to close out the opener. The momentum gradually shifted through the tiebreak, where Sabalenka won the final six points to force a third set.

Sabalenka broke in the opening game of the decider and held to love for a 2-0 advantage, but Bartunkova demonstrated resilience beyond her years, fighting back from a break down twice to reach 4-3. Sabalenka ultimately prevailed in a match lasting two hours and 23 minutes, marking her third comeback victory this season following wins against Elena Rybakina at Indian Wells and Naomi Osaka in Madrid.

Semifinal Prospect

Her opponent will be Jessica Pegula, the American fourth seed who defeated fellow American Madison Keys 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (10-8) in a competitive all-American quarterfinal. Pegula earned her fifth semifinal appearance of the year, improving to 3-2 in head-to-head meetings with Keys. Sabalenka's return to the final four in Berlin represents her second consecutive semifinal appearance at the tournament.

For Sabalenka, the victory carries particular significance following her unexpected French Open quarterfinal exit to Diana Shnaider from a position of 6-3, 4-1 advantage. Questions about her ability to complete matches from dominant positions had surfaced in recent weeks. This comeback against Bartunkova, however, demonstrates the mental resilience required at the highest level. Sabalenka has captured 24 WTA Tour titles across her career, with all four Grand Slam singles victories arriving on hard courts—a surface where she will compete at Wimbledon later this month after reaching last year's semifinals.