Aryna Sabalenka reached the quarter-finals of the Berlin Open after overcoming a delayed second-round match against qualifier Rebeka Masarova. 

Sabalenka, playing in her first match since her French Open final defeat to Coco Gauff, was 6-2 up in the first set before slippery conditions halted play late on Wednesday. 

The Belarusian was upset and told the umpire: "You are stopping the match because she says that side is slippery? I just played two games on that side."

The world number one was forced to return to the Steffi Graf Stadion the following day, and got the job done with a 6-2 7-6 (8-6) victory over her Swiss opponent. 

After storming to the first set, Sabalenka was made to work for her victory against Masarova, who appeared rejuvenated after returning to the court on Thursday. 

She broke Sabalenka in the first game of the second set and cruised to a 4-2 lead, but the Belarusian returned the favour in the eighth game as the encounter was set to be decided by a tie-break. 

And a deciding set looked on the cards when Masarova won the first point of the tie-break, but Sabalenka was able to see it out as her opponent smashed what looked to be a routine half-volley straight into the net. 

Sabalenka will now face the winner of Katerina Siniakova's clash with Elena Rybakina. 

worth the wait @SabalenkaA makes the last eight in Berlin with a win over Masarova 6-2, 7-6(6)! #BTO pic.twitter.com/YUu2nRthbk

— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2025

Data Debrief: Sabalenka digs deep

Fresh from her Roland-Garros disappointment, Sabalenka kick-started her grass-court season in style with a gritty showing. 

She was strong on serve, winning 37 of 49 points on first serve, while she saved seven of the eight break points she faced (88%).

Sabalenka also forced 12 break points of her own, though she could only convert three of those.