Top Seed Sabalenka Falls to Pegula in Berlin Semifinal

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka saw her Wimbledon preparations take a major hit as she was stunned by Jessica Pegula in the deciding set of the Berlin Open semi-finals. The American’s victory not only propels her into the final but also sends a strong signal on the grass courts ahead of the season’s third major.

What happened

The clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula was billed as a marquee semifinal, and it delivered. Sabalenka, the world No. 2 and top seed in Berlin, came in with strong grass-court pedigree, having reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year. Pegula, though, matched her power from the baseline and showed remarkable composure in the clutch moments. After splitting the first two sets, the deciding set went down to the wire, with Pegula ultimately prevailing. Sabalenka’s frustration was evident as her serve, usually a massive weapon, became erratic under pressure.

Why it matters

For Sabalenka, this loss is a dent in her momentum ahead of Wimbledon, where she is expected to contend for the title. The Belarusian has struggled with inconsistency at times, and failing to close out matches on grass—a surface she loves—will be a concern. Pegula, meanwhile, continues to solidify her status as one of the most consistent players on tour. Reaching the Berlin final gives her a confidence boost and valuable grass-court match practice. The American has yet to win a WTA 500 title on grass, and this could be her breakthrough.

What it means for Wimbledon

With Wimbledon just around the corner, both players will take different narratives into the Championships. Sabalenka will need to regroup quickly, focusing on her serve and returning consistency. Pegula, on the other hand, will carry winning momentum. Her ability to absorb pace and redirect shots makes her dangerous on grass, and a title in Berlin would be the perfect springboard. The result also opens up the draw: if Sabalenka’s seeding slips, she could face a tougher path at the All England Club. For now, Pegula has sent a message to the rest of the field—she’s ready to make a deep run at SW19.