Aryna Sabalenka defeated Nikola Bartunkova, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, in the quarter-finals of the Berlin Open.
The world number one survived a major scare in her quarter-final match, producing a remarkable comeback from a set and 4-1 down against the young Czech.
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Bartunkova played Sabalenka off the court in the opening set and continued to trouble the Belarusian right to the very end.
During her on-court interview, Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the match after being pushed to the limit in her Berlin Open quarter-final.
Aryna Sabalenka didn’t know what to do against ‘future superstar’ Nikola Bartunkova
The 28-year-old couldn’t quite believe the level Bartunkova produced in their quarter-final match.
“I just think that she played incredible tennis, not much I could do, she was just like smacking the ball, it was an unbelievable level. Honestly, I felt like it was her match and I didn’t know what to do,” said Sabalenka.
“I think when I did a couple of approaches to the net on that 0-4 game, I think it gave me a little bit of confidence that maybe I could show her that I still had something left.
“I don’t know; I was just trying to stay in the game. I tried to basically find the rhythm or something, and I honestly think it was a lucky match.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Nikola Bartunkova – Match stats
| Stats | Aryna Sabalenka | Nikola Bartunkova |
| Aces | 10 | 8 |
| Double faults | 8 | 7 |
| 1st Serve % | 67% | 54% |
| Winners | 43 | 32 |
| Unforced errors | 18 | 21 |
| Break points | 5/8 | 6/17 |
| Total points won | 104 | 91 |
“I somehow miraculously came back in the second set, and then, of course, I got some confidence that I can win this one.
“But oh my god, what a player, what an incredible young girl, future superstar, for sure.”
Bartunkova was ranked outside the world’s top 60 at the beginning of the tournament, but now sits 46th in the ‘Live WTA Rankings’.
Live WTA Rankings
- 44. Elisabetta Cocciaretto – 1,192 points
- 45. Sara Bejlek – 1,179 points
- 46. Nikola Bartunkova – 1,140 points
- 47. Diane Parry – 1,128 points
- 48. Oleksandra Oliynykova – 1,114 points
Already producing this level of tennis at 20, Bartunkova will surely be a problem for years to come.
Sabalenka shared what was going through her mind when playing Bartunkova.
“I was thinking, ‘Whoa, that’s how it feels to play against me?” she said.
“There was a little bit of frustration going on because I didn’t know what to do. Any ball I gave her, she would smack it with a winner.
“I was really not sure what to do, but I guess I just tried to bring this little tiger inside of me and fight for this match.”
Sabalenka was then asked whether she tried to force mistakes out of Bartunkova or play more aggressively during difficult moments.
“I think for me, the best way is to be aggressive, to trust my shots and to go after my shots,” she said.
“I’m not trying to go for the winners; I’m just trying to stay aggressive, and the benefit is I get some winners!”
Sabalenka certainly turned up the aggression as the match went on, securing her spot in the Berlin Open semi-finals.
Aryna Sabalenka previews Berlin Open semi-final against Jessica Pegula
The world number one will play Jessica Pegula in the last four.
Pegula defeated her close friend Madison Keys in the earlier quarter-final to set up a 13th career meeting with Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula’s head-to-head record (9-3)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Berlin Open – SF | – | – | – |
| 2025 WTA Finals – RR | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 |
| 2025 Wuhan Open – SF | Jessica Pegula | Aryna Sabalenka | 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2025 US Open – SF | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2025 Miami Open – F | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 7-5, 6-2 |
| 2024 US Open – F | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 7-5, 7-5 |
| 2024 Cincinnati Open – F | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2023 WTA Finals – RR | Jessica Pegula | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2022 WTA Finals – RR | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2022 Italian Open – 3R | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2021 Madrid Open – 3R | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2020 French Open – 1R | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2020 Cincinnati Open – 3R | Jessica Pegula | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 |
Sabalenka knows she must prepare for another ‘battle’ in Berlin.
“It’s another really fast game, fast player, really aggressive, flat, deep balls, serving well. It’s going to be a battle, and I hope I can make it,” she said.
The winner of Sabalenka and Pegula’s semi-final will take on either Alex Eala, Elina Svitolina, or Linda Noskova in Sunday’s final.
