Wimbledon 2024 Women’s Day 4

Iga Swiatek rode a late break of serve to a 6-4, 6-3 win over Petra Martic, with the Polish top seed easing in the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday with her 45th victory of the season.

The world No. 1 with five Grand Slam titles broke for a 5-3 lead over her Croat opponent and shut down the match a game later as she sent over a 25th winner to advance in 83 minutes.

“I’m really happy, it was not easy against her since she changes rhythm so much,” Swiatek said. 

“I needed to adjust quickly.  I feel like I’m making progress on the grass in practice, the goal is to implement it in matches.

“I have low expectations. I’m focusing on the work and I guess the results will come after.”

While Swiatek won easily, it was a different ending for fifth seed Jessica Pegula, with the winner of the Berlin title last month going down in a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-1 loss to China’s Wang Xinyu.

Pegula’s record at the major this season is miserable, with a second-round loss in Australia and an injury absence in Paris.

The 42nd.ranked Wang earned the fist Top 10 victory of her career on her third Wimbledon appearance.

She had chances to close out a straight-set win but instead failed to convert on a match point and lost the second set in a tiebreaker before dominating the deciding set against the American seed.

“I just told myself to focus on the next point, and not the last,” she said.

“It was a great match, I had a lot of fun, Jessica is tough on grass, her balls come in super low. I’m just happy that I won.”

Tenth seed Ons Jabeur, runner-up at the last two editions here, reached the third round 6-1, 7-5 over qualifier Robin Montgomery.  

No. 11 Danielle Collins beat Dalma Galfi, a Hungarian qualifier, 6-3, 6-4, but had to stage a comeback after being broken twice while serving for victory.

Britain’s Harriet Dart stunned national No. 1 Katie Boulter, advancing  4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8), with the winner fighting off tears at the end.

The contest was marred by more than 100 unforced errors between the pair who had played seven times previously with Boulter winning six.

No. 32 Boulter drove a mis-hit forehand well over the baseline to take the loss after three hours against an emotional opponent..

“I knew it would be really, really tough,” Dart said. “I wear my emotions on my sleeve, you can see how I’m thinking.

“I’m so happy to get through. I was not expecting much in this match but I tried my best.

“My record is woeful against her; I was down in the tiebreak but I gave it all I had. I’m happy I battled through.”

American Madison Keys, a two-time quarter-finalist seeded 12th, pounded 31 winners in her 6-2, 6-2 defeat of China’s Wang Yefan, the No. 71.

“I’ve always felt pretty natural on grass and have just always loved playing here,” the winner said.

“Last year obviously having a quarter-final run was amazing. Every time you’re here it’s the pinnacle of tennis.

“I think we’re all out there playing our hearts out. I’ve just been lucky enough to get a lot of wins.

“It’s hard not to be happy here when you’re playing well.”

Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina echoed that sentiment as she mercilessly dispatched her second  British victim in as many years here, dealing out Yuriko Lily Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0.

The 14th-seeded winner spent a mere 50 minutes in advancing into the third round, breaking six times and missing just two first serves from start to quick finish as her local opponent committed 19 unforced errors.

A year ago, Kasatkina trounced British wildcard Jodie Burrage with the loss of just two games in the second round.

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Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk brought an end to the run of Daria Saville, putting out the Australian in a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 fightback effort as she saved a match point.

Beatriz Haddad Maia advanced after 24 minutes and three games as opponent Camila Osorio retired injured in the battle between South Amricans.

Spain’s Paula Badosa beat Czech teenager Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-4, 6-2, spoiling the Wimbledon debut of the 17-year-old.

“Today was tricky conditions. It’s not easy to play with the wind and on grass,” Badosa said.

“But I’m happy that I went through it and I’m looking forward for the next one.”

Fellow Iberian Jessica Bouzas Maniero followed up on her elimination of defending champion Marketa Vondrousova by beating Cristina Bucsa 7-6 (1), 6-3.

Former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova advanced past American Katie Volynets 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5). 

Main photo:-Harriet Dart all smiles after beating compatriot Katie Boulter in second round match Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd