London (AFP) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled American McCartney Kessler in a tough second set to reach the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Release date: 01/07/2026 – 16:00
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Aryna Sabalenka had to fight hard to defeat McCartney Kessler in straight sets © HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has reached 14 straight major quarter-finals, won 6-1, 7-6 (11/9) on Court One to book a round of 16 meeting with former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.
“It was a real battle and I’m very happy that I was able to stay in the second set and go to the tiebreaker,” Sabalenka said.
“She really tested me and I’m really excited to take this test.”
Sabalenka has never won Wimbledon, losing in the semi-finals in each of her last three visits.
Kessler missed two set points on serve in the second set at 5-3 before Sabalenka fought back to take a tiebreaker in which her 57th-ranked opponent saw two more set points come and go.
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