'Now I know how it feels to play me' - Sabalenka battles into Berlin semis

Sabalenka battles back from brink in BerlinImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sabalenka has won 24 WTA Tour-level singles titlesByAmy LofthouseBBC Sport senior journalistPublished5 minutes agoAryna Sabalenka says she now knows "how it feels to play against me" as she claimed a much-needed comeback win over Nikola Bartunkova to reach the Berlin Open semi-finals.World number one Sabalenka found herself a set and 4-0 down after being overpowered in the early stages by talented Czech Bartunkova.The Belarusian was error-prone, irritable and anonymous on serve in a performance reminiscent of her surprise French Open quarter-final loss.However, Sabalenka steadied herself and refound her rhythm to come through 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.All four of Sabalenka's Grand Slam singles titles have come on hard courts, and she has had a number of near misses at both SW19 and Roland Garros.The 28-year-old was the favourite in Paris after a string of early exits but her loss to Diana Shnaider from 6-3 4-1 up in the last eight had some questioning her resilience.But this sort of victory - fighting back from a seemingly hopeless position - will give Sabalenka confidence before Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals last year."I did not know what to do. I was thinking woah, that's how it feels to play against me," Sabalenka said."Any ball I would give her she would smack it for a winner. What a player - a future superstar for sure."I just tried to bring this little tiger inside of me and fight for this match."Sabalenka will face world number four Jessica Pegula for a place in the final after the American beat good friend Madison Keys 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (10-8).Fery's Queen's run ended by Cerundolo in narrow lossPublished1 hour agoDraper to return at Eastbourne with new coach MurrayPublished1 hour agoBartunkova has had a breakthrough year, beating then world number 10 Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open and finishing runner-up at the...