Aryna Sabalenka crashed out of the Berlin Open semifinals with a stunning defeat to Jessica Pegula, losing 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-0.
What happened?
The World No. 1 tennis player was beaten in dramatic fashion, with the final set ending in a bagel that raised fresh concerns about her form heading into the grass-court Grand Slam.
Pegula dominated the third set, handing Sabalenka a 6-0 defeat in less than half an hour.
Why it matters for Aryna Sabalenka
The defeat was particularly alarming because Sabalenka had fought hard to stay alive in the contest, rallying to win the second-set tiebreak and force a decider.
Sabalenka's loss ended her Berlin campaign just when it appeared she was gathering momentum on grass.
What comes next?
The Belarusian tennis star will now focus on Wimbledon, where she will look to bounce back from this setback.
As of June 2024, Sabalenka's ranking remains at World No. 1, but this loss may affect her seedings for the upcoming Grand Slam.
And with the grass-court season in full swing, Sabalenka will need to regroup and refocus if she wants to make a deep run at Wimbledon.
But for now, the focus is on recovering from this stunning defeat and preparing for the challenges ahead.
So what can Sabalenka do to turn her form around?
The answer may lie in her training and preparation, as she looks to iron out the issues that led to this loss.
With a strong support team behind her, Sabalenka will be working tirelessly to get back to her best.
And with her sights set on Wimbledon, she will be more determined than ever to succeed.
The Berlin Open may be over for Sabalenka, but the real challenge is only just beginning.