Sabalenka battles back from brink in Berlin

A remarkable recovery secured world number one Aryna Sabalenka a place in the Berlin Open semi-finals after she overcame a set and four-game deficit against Nikola Bartunkova.

The Belarusian struggled with errors and dropped the opening set before falling four-nil behind in the second against the flat strokes of her twenty-year-old Czech opponent. Aryna Sabalenka then steadied her rhythm to secure a two-six, seven-six, six-four victory.

"I did not know what to do. I was thinking woah, that's how it feels to play against me. Any ball I would give her she would smack it for a winner. What a player - a future superstar for sure. I just tried to bring this little tiger inside of me and fight for this match." — Aryna Sabalenka.

This comeback win provides a significant boost for Aryna Sabalenka ahead of Wimbledon following a recent surprise quarter-final exit at the French Open. The top seed needed to display resilience to halt Nikola Bartunkova, who already claimed a victory over Belinda Bencic this year and saved multiple break points before Aryna Sabalenka forced and won the second-set tie-break.

A cross-court forehand eventually sealed the final set for Aryna Sabalenka after Nikola Bartunkova twice broke back. Despite the victory, the top seed required ice packs on her right shoulder during changeovers.

A semi-final encounter against world number four Jessica Pegula awaits Aryna Sabalenka after the American defeated Madison Keys. In separate tournament news, world number two Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Bad Homburg Open due to a hip issue.