Sabalenka breaks through with Eastbourne run

Established stars Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, and Agnieszka Radwanska were the biggest names in the Eastbourne semifinals, but it’s been 20-year-old Aryna Sabalenka impressing the most.

After reaching her first career WTA final in Tianjin last year, 2018 has been a breakthrough season for the quick-hitting Belarusian.

Sabalenka started making a name for herself in Fed Cup last fall. She was a key contributor for Belarus, helping get them to the final.

Her breakthrough run in Eastbourne began in the second round with a gutsy three-set win over sixth seed Julia Goerges.

She continued to make waves in the Nature Valley International draw, pulling off a hard-fought, marathon victory over ninth seed Elise Mertens to reach the last eight.

The world No. 45 then shocked further on Thursday with a confident display of power tennis to oust defending champion Karolina Pliskova. She got through with her second third-set tiebreak win in as many days.

Not done yet, on Friday, Sabalenka got past former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska in another three-setter, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. She'll contest her first Premier final on Saturday against top seed Caroline Wozniacki before heading to Wimbledon.