Berlin Open: Kudermetova stuns Sabalenka to maintain fine grass form and move into last eight

Russian wildcard Veronika Kudermetova reached the quarter-finals of the Berlin Open by upsetting top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) at Rot-Weiss Tennis Club.

It is the biggest win of Kudermetova’s season so far, who is enjoying a fine run of form on the grass having also reached the final of the Libema Open last week.

Kudermetova was beaten by fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in that final, and she will face her compatriot again in the last eight in Berlin with an opportunity to avenge her defeat.

The world No. 13 recorded an impressive win against Chinese player Qinwen Zheng (6-4, 6-2) ahead of her victory and will fancy her chances in the rematch against Alexandrova.

But the Libema Open champion is in excellent form herself, having beaten beaten Samsonova and Coco Gauff en route to a second successive quarter-final appearance.

For Sabalenka, meanwhile, this has been a difficult return to competitive action following her chastening Roland-Garros semi-final exit.

On a surface that suits her powerful service-heavy game well, the Belarusian will be one of the favourites heading into Wimbledon at the start of next month.

This result will act as a timely reminder that grass-court tennis is full of unexpected surprises, with players who are comfortable on the surface tending to set the pace for the rest.

Berlin WTA 500, other last 16 results (Rot-Weiss Tennis Club, grass, EUR 678.814, most recent results first):

• Maria Sakkari vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich
• Marketa Vondrousova (WC) beat Jule Niemeier (Q): 6-3, 6-5 ret.
• Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Coco Gauff (5): 6-4, 6-0
• Petra Kvitova (7) beat Nadia Podoroska: 6-1, 6-1
• Donna Vekic beat Elena Rybakina (2): 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4
• Elina Avanesyan (LL) beat Anna Blinkova: 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
• Caroline Garcia (3) beat Jaimee Fourlis (Q): 6-3, 6-2