The quarterfinals of the WTA 500 Berlin Ladies Open have
been decided, highlighted by a commanding victory from Aryna Sabalenka over
Daria Kasatkina and a remarkable comeback from Ons Jabeur against teenager
Linda Noskova.
The day also featured wins from Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica
Pegula, while Qinwen Zheng and Marketa Vondrousova were knocked out of the
tournament.
Sabalenka crushes Kasatkina
In their ninth encounter, Aryna Sabalenka once again
triumphed over Daria Kasatkina, extending her head-to-head record to 7-2. The
Belarusian took full advantage of Kasatkina's inconsistencies on serve. The
world No. 3 secured two consecutive breaks and raced to a 5-0 lead in the first
set.
The two-time Grand Slam champion won 20 of the first 25
points played and dropped only four points on her serve throughout the set.
Winning 70% of the points played, it took Sabalenka just 23 minutes to claim
the set 6-1.
In the second set, Kasatkina started to improve, becoming
more effective with her first and second serves while leveling the playing
field during return games. Despite maintaining parity for several minutes,
Kasatkina conceded a break opportunity in the fifth game, which Sabalenka
capitalized on.
Leading 4-2, Sabalenka lost her serve for the first time,
giving Kasatkina a chance to level the set at 4-4. However, another break of
serve allowed Sabalenka to close out the match 6-1, 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 French Open.
Jabeur's impressive comeback
Ons Jabeur faced a tough second-round match against the
world No. 28 Linda Noskova. The Tunisian fell behind early, getting broken in
the first game, but managed to break back immediately and leveled the match at
2-2.
Jabeur had another break point in the ninth game but
couldn't convert. The set went to a tiebreak, where Noskova took her third set
point to win 7-6(3). The Czech teenager was nearly unbeatable on her first
serve, winning 88% of those points.
However, the tide turned in Jabeur's favor in the second
set. She broke in the fourth game and held onto the lead for the rest of the
set. Each player secured a break in the seventh and eighth games, but Jabeur
eventually won the set 6-3.
The third set was decided early, with Jabeur breaking in
the first game. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up won 76% of her service
points compared to Noskova's 63%. Without facing any more break points, Jabeur
completed her comeback, winning 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals
where she will face Coco Gauff.
Gauff and Pegula advance
Top seed Coco Gauff had a successful debut in the
grass-court swing. The new world No. 2 defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova, a
semifinalist last week at the Libema Open, winning 7-6(6), 6-2 in an hour and
21 minutes.
Last year, Gauff had a disappointing grass-court season
with a 4-3 record and an early exit at Wimbledon. This year, the American is
aiming for her first title on grass.
Jessica Pegula also moved forward, defeating last year's
Berlin Ladies Open runner-up Donna Vekic. The world No. 5 overcame Vekic 6-4,
7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals. Pegula will next face Katerina Siniakova,
who defeated Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 6-4 in a match that began on Wednesday and was
delayed by rain, finishing on Thursday, June 20.
Other results included Elena Rybakina's victory over
Veronika Kudermetova (6-4, 7-5) and the withdrawal of 2023 Wimbledon champion
Marketa Vondrousova, who was tied 5-5 against Anna Kalinskaya before retiring.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
