In a match that swung dramatically across three sets, Pegula eventually overpowered the Belarusian, who once again failed to maintain control when the contest went the distance. The American, ranked among the tour’s most consistent performers, capitalised on Sabalenka’s unraveling form in the final set to seal a statement win.
The result marked a significant turnaround for Pegula, who had lost five of her previous six meetings against Sabalenka. This time, however, her flat groundstrokes, sharp returning and disciplined baseline play proved decisive against the top seed.
Sabalenka, by contrast, struggled for rhythm from the outset and was visibly unsettled by Pegula’s consistency. While she managed to force a decider after a tense second-set battle, the final set saw a complete collapse in her level.
A Match of Swings and Momentum Shifts
Pegula edged the opening set 6-4, setting the tone with aggressive returning and steady pressure on Sabalenka’s serve. The world number one responded in the second set, pushing the match into a tie-break after Pegula had surged to a 3-1 lead.
Rain halted play for nearly an hour at a crucial moment, but Pegula still led 3-1 in the breaker before the interruption. When action resumed, Sabalenka surged back, winning six of the next seven points to level the match and force a deciding set.
However, the momentum shift proved temporary. Pegula returned with renewed control, while Sabalenka’s level dropped sharply as errors piled up.
Pegula completely dominated the third set, winning it 6-0 as Sabalenka’s game disintegrated under pressure.
Sabalenka’s Recurring Third-Set Struggles
The defeat adds to growing concerns over Sabalenka’s performances in deciding sets. At the French Open quarter-final earlier this season, she also lost a final set 6-0 after failing to convert a commanding position.
In Berlin, the statistics again highlighted her inconsistency. Sabalenka finished with 41 unforced errors, nine double faults and a first-serve percentage of just 62%, compared to Pegula’s 25 unforced errors.
While she remains a dominant force on tour and a leading contender for Wimbledon, questions persist over her ability to close out high-pressure matches when momentum shifts against her.
Pegula: “I Just Try to Be Myself”
After sealing victory, Pegula reflected on the emotional intensity of the match and her calm approach on court.
"She came out and ripped a bunch of winners and I told myself 'I guess I wanted to win in the hard way anyway'," she said.
"I don't get super emotional. People used to tell me when I was younger that I need to yell more and jump up and down.
"Honestly, it feels like a waste of energy to me. I just try to be myself."
The 32-year-old American will now face Czech teenager Linda Nosková in Sunday’s final after she defeated Philippines’ Alexandra Eala 6-2 6-4.
Navarro Continues Strong Form in Nottingham
Elsewhere on the WTA Tour, Emma Navarro continued her resurgence by reaching the Nottingham Open final after defeating Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.
Navarro, who briefly broke into the world’s top 10 in 2024, endured a difficult start to the season, losing nine of her first 13 matches amid health-related struggles.
However, her form has sharply improved since winning the Strasbourg Open in May, and she now finds herself in a second final of the season.
She will face Czech player Marie Bouzková, who booked her place in the final with a commanding 6-4 6-1 win over former world number one Karolína Plíšková, marking her first grass-court final.
Wimbledon Outlook Looms
Despite her defeat, Sabalenka remains one of the favourites heading into Wimbledon, which begins on 29 June. However, her grass-court record against top-10 opponents remains a concern, having won just once in five such meetings.
For Pegula, the Berlin triumph represents a timely surge in confidence ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam, as she prepares for another major test in Sunday’s final.