The top seeded Ons Jabeur fought her way into the semi-finals of the lawn tennis tournament in Berlin.
The 27-year-old Tunisian defeated Alexandra Sasnowitsch 6:7 (3:7), 6:2, 6:2 in the round of eight at the Steffi Graf Stadium. The Russian had won the round against Andrea Petkovic. “Actually, I have to win 6: 2, 6: 2. I’m glad I turned it around and stayed positive,” said the favorite.
Jabeur was on the winning road in the first set after two breaks to make it 5-2, but then lost her line and the first round in the tie-break. In the second set, Jabeur had to have the toes of his left foot taped, but was then able to play safely and confidently.
In the semifinals, Jabeur meets Coco Gauff. The 18-year-old American had previously won 7: 5, 6: 4 against the Czech Karolina Pliskova, who was number four. Gauff, who was three positions worse, had already fended off four set balls when the score was 4:5 in the first set. As in the first set, Gauff was 2-0 down in the second round, but then fought her way into the game and made it into the semi-finals of a grass tournament for the first time in her career.
Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari meet in the second semi-final. The number eight Olympic champion from Switzerland had to use a lot of fighting spirit in the 3: 6, 6: 3, 6: 3 against the Russian Weronika Kudermetowa to reach the semifinals. The Greek Sakkari, who was seeded number two, acted more confidently, defeating Daria Kasatkina from Russia 6:0, 6:3.