Wimbledon 2025 Women’s Day 3

Aryna Sabalenka secured a tiebreak win at a tight moment in her match against Marie Bouzkova, with the world No. 1 coming through to finish the job in 7-6 (4), 6-4 straight sets on Wednesday at Wimbledon.

The first-time top seed at Wimbledon reached the third round in 95 minute over the Czech opponent she has defeated in three of their four matches.

“It was a tough battle against a difficult opponent,” the winner said. “We’ve had close matches in the past.

“I’m happy to be through this difficult round.”

Sabalenka, a two-time winner in Australia, has never been past the semi-final here as she heads a Grand Slam field at her third straight major.

The seed lost serve for 5-6 in the opening set but steeled herself to break straight back before running through the tiebreaker and claiming victory a set later.

“It was a tough moment, I was just trying to put the ball back and hope that I could break her back,” Sabalenka said.

“My return had not been good enough to break her serve before. But suddenly everything clicked. I felt better as I won the tiebreaker.”

Sabalenka knows there is a target on her back at an edition where a record number of seeds have been toppled in the first round.

Men have lost 13 while Tuesday losses by second seed Coco Gauff and No. 3 Jessica Pegula marked the first time in the Open era that two of the top three women’s seeds were gone this early. 

“It’s sad to see so many (seeded) players lose in the first round,” Sabalenka said. “I’m hoping there are no more upsets .. if you know what I mean.

“I try and stay away from the results and focus on myself. You have to take it one step at a time when you are out here competing.”

Sabalenka will next line up against Emma Raducanu after the British No. 1 defeated 2023 tournament winner Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 6-3.

The Briton who won the 2021 US Open from a qualifying start as a teenager has steadied her game after seasons of uncertainty and injury in recent weeks as the grass season approached. 

Raducanu also beat Vondrousova here four years ago in their only other grass meeting.

” .On a day when light rain delayed the start on uncovered outdoor courts at the All England club, reigning Australian open champion Madison Keys also avoided the upset curse.

The American sixth seed advanced past Serb Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2.

But Keys was also well aware of the poor run of seeds so far this week.

“When you’re sitting and watching everyone fall, it adds a little bit of

stress to the situation. 

“I was pretty close in my first round, so I feel like I dodged a bullet. I think everyone is just tired, the season has been long already. 

“In six months. I feel like we’ve all played a lot of matches. So obviously the people that are ranked higher, in theory, have played more matches than others.”

Sonay Kartal earned a welcome British victory as she defeated Viktoriya Tomova 6-2, 6-2 to duplicate her third round here from 2024.

Katie Boulter was unable to repeat the success as she dropped a 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1 decision to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra,who beat her first top 50 player.

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka advanced 6-3, 6-2 over Katerina Siniakova., 

German Laura Siegemuund beat Canada’s former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-3.

No. 102 Spaniard Christina Busca extended the Week 1 upset trend as she knocked out 2024 semi-finalist Donna Vekic 6-1, 6-3.