Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive form at Wimbledon, defeating Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-1 in the second round to book her place in the third round. The Belarusian, seeded second, extended her winning streak to 10 matches with a dominant display on Centre Court.
Dominant Performance
Sabalenka broke Ostapenko's serve four times and saved all three break points she faced, wrapping up the match in just 67 minutes. She hit 27 winners and made only 12 unforced errors, showcasing the power and consistency that have made her one of the favourites for the title.
“I think I played really well today,” Sabalenka said. “I was focused from the start and executed my game plan perfectly. Ostapenko is a dangerous opponent, but I stayed aggressive and took my chances.”
Ostapenko's Struggles
Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, struggled to find her rhythm against Sabalenka's relentless pressure. The Latvian committed 25 unforced errors and managed just two winners in the second set. She saved two match points before Sabalenka closed out the victory with a forehand winner down the line.
“She was just too good today,” Ostapenko admitted. “I couldn't find a way to break her rhythm. I need to work on my consistency for the next tournaments.”
Next Challenge
Sabalenka will face either 30th seed Paula Badosa or qualifier Viktorija Golubic in the third round. The world No. 2 is aiming to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the first time, having lost in the fourth round in 2021 and the semifinals in 2023.
“I'm feeling good on grass this year,” Sabalenka added. “I'm taking it one match at a time, but I believe I can go far.”
