Berlin Open: Aryna Sabalenka lost the third set 6-0 to Jessica Pegula

Aryna Sabalenka dropped another decisive set without winning a game as an impressive Jessica Pegula beat the world number one to reach the Berlin Open final.

Belarusian Sabalenka never looked settled against Pegula, who came back from losing a tight second set 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-0.

The American has lost five of her last six matches against Pegula Sabalenka but her flat shots and excellent return of serve have anchored her performance this time around.

It was another disappointing deciding-set performance for Sabalenka, losing the third set of her French Open quarter-final 6-0 after squandering a set and double break lead.

Pegula forced a tiebreak from 5-2 down in the second set and led 3-1 before play was delayed an hour due to rain.

When they returned, Sabalenka won six of the next seven points to force a decisive set – only for Pegula to dominate the top seed.

“He came out and ripped off a bunch of winners and I said to myself ‘I guess I’m going to win the hard way anyway’,” Pegula, 32, said.

“I’m not very emotional. When I was younger, people used to tell me that I should shout and jump more.

“To be honest, it seems like a waste of energy to me. I just try to be myself.”

Pegula will face Czech Linda Noskova or Alexandra Ila of the Philippines in Sunday’s final.