Aryna Sabalenka likely didn't see such a challenge coming in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open against Nikola Bartunkova. Maybe the Belarusian should have, though. The 20-year-old Czech is one in a long line of players from her country who know how to win on grass.
Two of the last three winners at Wimbledon on the WTA side, for instance, have come from that country. Whatever is being taught is clearly wise and working.
Still, while Sabalenka's best surface isn't grass, and Bartunkova was ranked outside the top 50 on the WTA tour entering the event in Berlin and had yet to win a tour title, the top seed got a battle that was nearly too much for her. That began to be obvious in the first set.
Aryna Sabalenka survives tough 2026 Berlin Open test against Nikola Bartunkova
It wasn't close, and Sabalenka knew it. Counting her out of any match is, of course, foolish, but the Czech player had a massive serve that pushed her to a 6-2 set one victory. The Bealrian, not used to having to play so much defense, appeared to be out of her element. The question was whether she could find herself before the match ended.
At the beginning of the second set, Aryna Sabalenka appeared done. Bartunkova raced out to a 4-0 lead, and even the greatness of Sabalenka made a comeback unlikely. But doubting the WTA No. 1 ever is a fool's errand. She was able to get a break and turned the set and match around rather quickly.
From 0-4 down, she was suddenly up 5-4. The second set finished in a tie-break, and one that wasn't close. Sabalenka evened the match by taking it 7-2. While the Czech had a massive serve that could keep her in the third set, Sabalenka suddenly and stunningly had all the momentum.
The third set didn't go nearly as easily as it could have for the top seed, though. She would get a break only to have Bartunkova break right back. The Belarusian was seemingly on the brink of taking control, only to fail to do so. At 4-all, though, she got another break of the Czech and simply needed a hold to win the match. This time, she would do so, after several deuce points, to take the third set 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka will next face Jessica Pegula in the semifinals of the Berlin Open. Pegula defeated fellow American Madison Keys in straight sets, though both sets went to a tie-break, in her quarterfinal match. While Sabalenka hasn't won the Berlin Open in her career, Pegula won the tournament in 2024.
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