Fresh off her Wimbledon victory, Elena Rybakina encountered a bump in the road during her grass-court preparations. She was defeated by Donna Vekic 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Berlin Open on Wednesday. Vekic's serve proved difficult to crack, as she saved both break points she faced. This was only Rybakina's second match back since withdrawing from the French Open due to a respiratory virus, having bested qualifier Polina Kudermetova on Tuesday.

Vekic attributed her win to staying focused and seizing the opportunities as they arose. "I concentrated on each point, each game," Vekic explained. "I told myself to stick with her, and the chances would eventually present themselves." She now advances to face Elina Avanesyan, a lucky loser from qualifying who entered the main draw after another player's withdrawal.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Caroline Garcia secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory over qualifier Jaimee Fourlis. Garcia, the third seed, reflected on her transition from clay to grass, saying, "Playing matches is the best form of practice, so I'm feeling more confident in my movement. I truly enjoyed my time on Center Court today." She's slated to play former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the next round, who dominated Nadia Podoroska 6-1, 6-1 in a swift 49-minute match.

In other matches, Maria Sakkari overcame Alizé Cornet 6-4, 6-2 after Cornet experienced a health issue during the first set. Cornet, trailing 4-1, required a blood pressure check before resuming play. Sakkari will now face Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who upset Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 in a match that concluded after being suspended the previous night.