The world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, demonstrated her class by defeating Marie Bouzkova with scores of 7-6(4), 6-4, advancing to the third round of Wimbledon. This victory consolidates her impressive streak of successes in the early rounds of Grand Slam tournaments. Sabalenka has maintained absolute dominance in the first week of the major tournaments, accumulating 32 consecutive victories before the round of 16, since the 2022 US Open. In those matches, she has won 64 of the 67 sets played. Bouzkova, who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2022, stood out this season for her efficiency in converting break points, leading the WTA circuit with 54%. However, against Sabalenka, she was only able to take advantage of one break opportunity, when the number one committed a double fault, which gave Bouzkova a 5-6 lead in the first set. Sabalenka’s frustration became evident when she failed to convert a break point in the following game, but she quickly recovered and forced a tiebreak with a winning forehand.
Sabalenka has reached the third round or a higher stage in the last 17 Grand Slam tournaments she has played. The only player with a longer active streak is Iga Swiatek, who has achieved this feat in every Grand Slam tournament since the beginning of 2020. Sabalenka commented that she focused on avoiding surprises, especially after players like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Qinwen Zheng, and Paula Badosa were eliminated in the first round.It was a tough moment in the match. I just tried to put the ball back on the other side and hope to break her serve, because until that moment, my returns weren’t good enough to break her serve and I’m really happy that everything worked out.
Aryna Sabalenka
In other results of the day in women’s singles, Britain’s Sonay Kartal defeated Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria with a score of 6-2, 6-2, securing her place in the third round. I felt good on the court today. I was hitting very clean. It was one of those good days at the office. German Laura Siegemund also advanced, defeating Leylah Fernandez, seed number 29, with a score of 6-2, 6-3.Honestly, it’s very sad to see so many high-level players lose in the first round, but it’s better to focus on oneself and stay away from the results. Of course, you’re going to know the big picture, but it’s better to simply go step by step and give your best every time you compete.
Aryna Sabalenka
