World number one Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a set down to defeat Czech qualifier Nikola Bartunkola on Friday and book her place in the Berlin Tennis Open semifinals, while Alexandra Eala continued her impressive run with another upset victory.
Top seed Sabalenka recovered from a slow start to beat Bartunkola 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in a contest lasting two hours and 23 minutes. The Belarusian overcame a determined challenge from the world number 62, converting five of her eight break-point opportunities to reach the last four.
Sabalenka will face third seed Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s semifinal after the American edged fellow American Madison Keys 7-6(5), 7-6(8) in a tightly contested quarter-final. Keys struck 10 aces but failed to capitalize on her chances, converting only two of seven break points.
Eighth seed Linda Noskova advanced comfortably with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Spain’s Paula Badosa and will meet unseeded Alexandra Eala in the other semifinal.
The Filipino teenager followed up her upset of second seed Elena Rybakina by defeating sixth seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4, continuing a breakthrough week on the Berlin grass courts.
Lexus Nottingham Open
Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic extended her surprise run at the Nottingham Open by defeating fifth seed Ann Li of the United States 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the WTA 250 event.
The 33-year-old world number 76 took control in the deciding set, winning eight of 12 points on Li’s second serve to secure victory.
Golubic will face third seed Emma Navarro in Saturday’s semifinals after the American beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-6(6), 6-2.
The other semifinal will feature an all-Czech clash between fourth seed Marie Bouzkova and former world number one Karolina Pliskova.
Bouzkova advanced with a commanding 7-5, 6-0 win over Germany’s Tatjana Maria, while Pliskova defeated Australia’s Talia Gibson 7-5, 6-4 to continue her strong run in Nottingham.
