Top Seed Sabalenka Reaches Berlin Open Quarters After Masarova Win

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one from Belarus, defeated Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova in the round of 16 at the Berlin Open to reach the quarter-finals. The match was suspended due to slippery grass court conditions after Sabalenka won the first set 6-2, and resumed the following day when Masarova mounted a stronger challenge, pushing the second set to a tiebreak. Despite being down in the second set and squandering two match points, Sabalenka showed resilience and ultimately closed out the match 6-2, 7-6(8). Masarova, who has recently returned to representing Switzerland, had notable wins earlier in the tournament and reclaimed a top 100 ranking with her performance. Sabalenka will next face either Elena Rybakina or Katerina Siniakova as she prepares for Wimbledon, while other contenders like 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and two-time finalist Ons Jabeur also advanced. The Berlin Open serves as a key grass-court event before Wimbledon, featuring many top-ranked players competing for a €1.06 million prize pool.