Sabalenka leads before rain halts Berlin opener; Pegula crashes out
BERLIN:World number one Aryna Sabalenka made a strong start to her grasscourt season at the Berlin Open on Wednesday, taking the first set 6-2 against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova before the match was suspended due to slippery court conditions.
Returning to action less than two weeks after a heartbreaking French Open final loss to Coco Gauff, Sabalenka appeared sharp and focused. The Belarusian raced to a 3-0 lead and never faced serious resistance, breaking Masarova twice and comfortably sealing the set.
However, as evening humidity increased and concerns over the court’s safety grew, officials suspended play following brief discussions with both players. Sabalenka, surprised by the decision, questioned the stoppage: “So you are stopping the match?”
The match will resume Thursday, with the winner set to face either Katerina Siniakova or Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere, defending champion and third seed Jessica Pegula suffered a stunning exit. Despite holding two match points, the American fell 6-7(8), 7-5, 7-6(5) to 2021 winner Liudmila Samsonova in a grueling three-hour, 21-minute battle.
