Credited from: SCMP
Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed at Wimbledon, faced a challenging match against Czech player Marie Bouzkova, winning 7-6(4), 6-4 to advance to the third round on Wednesday. In a match where the weather vacillated between sun and clouds, Sabalenka struggled initially, dropping serve due to a double fault in the 11th game of the first set. However, she regained her focus, coming back to win the tiebreaker on a decisive forehand winner, as noted by Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Reuters.
Despite a frustrating start, Sabalenka's determination shone through, with her remarking, “That was a tough moment in the match,” highlighting her ability to overcome the pressure to take the victory. This win boosts her chances of capturing her first Wimbledon title, especially after notable upsets saw several top seeds, including Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, eliminated early in the tournament, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.
Next, Sabalenka will face either the local favorite Emma Raducanu or the 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova, as she aims to continue her march towards the Wimbledon title, reflecting on the need to avoid early exits like her fellow high-ranked competitors, as detailed by Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Reuters.