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Sabalenka Faces Pegula in Berlin Semifinal

6/20/2026

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Summary

Sabalenka Eyes Berlin Semifinal

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will meet No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the Berlin semifinal on Saturday, 20 June 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Sabalenka beat Nikola Bartunkova 2-6, 7-6(7/2), 6-4, while Pegula defeated Madison Keys 7-6(5), 7-6(8).
Odds list Sabalenka at 1.4 and Pegula at 2.94, with a bet of Sabalenka 2-1 at 3.9, while Sabalenka logged 10 aces, 43 winners and 70 % first-serve points, and Pegula had five aces, 40 winners and 73 % first-serve points.

Summary

Sabalenka Boosts Confidence

Sabalenka said the comeback gave her a “tiger instinct” and showed how opponents feel playing her.
Coach Max Mirnyi’s influence was evident as Sabalenka employed more front-court tactics, including a half-volley winner.
Nikola Bartunkova, 20, rose to 46th in the live WTA rankings, marking her as a Czech rising talent.
Sabalenka’s win is framed as a confidence boost before Wimbledon, where she will face Jessica Pegula in the semifinal.

History

Historical Context

In June 2008 the Berlin Tier I German Open was won by Dinara Safina, who defeated world No. 1 Justine Henin and ended Serena Williams’ 17-match winning streak to claim her first Tier I title. The event’s reputation for high-profile clashes endures, illustrated by Aryna Sabalenka’s 2026 Berlin semifinal under coach Max Mirnyi, where she employed aggressive net play.

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Sabalenka Eyes Berlin Semifinal

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will meet No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the Berlin semifinal on Saturday, 20 June 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Sabalenka beat Nikola Bartunkova 2-6, 7-6(7/2), 6-4, while Pegula defeated Madison Keys 7-6(5), 7-6(8).
Odds list Sabalenka at 1.4 and Pegula at 2.94, with a bet of Sabalenka 2-1 at 3.9, while Sabalenka logged 10 aces, 43 winners and 70 % first-serve points, and Pegula had five aces, 40 winners and 73 % first-serve points.

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