Viktoria Asarenka has come closer to her first title on grass. She was only on court for 24 minutes in the quarter-finals. No other singles match could be completed on Friday
Former world number one Viktoria Asarenka is the only player so far to reach the semi-finals of the Berlin tennis tournament. The Belarusian benefited from her opponent Yelena Rybakina retiring at 3:1. The Kazakh left the court in a flash after 24 minutes and did not return.
The WTA cited “stomach pains” as the official reason. The other quarter-finals were postponed until Saturday due to rain.
Asarenka could face compatriot Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals. The Australian Open winner is fighting for a place in the final round, as are top favorite Coco Gauff from the USA and crowd favourite Ons Jabeur from Tunisia.
German players are no longer taking part in the WTA 500 event after Angelique Kerber and Jule Niemeier lost their opening matches. For the players, the tournament in the capital serves as preparation for the grass court classic in Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.
