WIMBLEDON — Looking a lot like the World No. 1 and the favorite here, Aryna Sabalenka eased into the second round Monday with a 6-1, 7-5 win over qualifier Carson Branstine.
On a record hot opening day, Sabalenka was as cool as a refreshing glass of Pimm’s on No. 1 Court, winning in 73 minutes
Sabalenka has played only two of the past four Wimbledon tournaments — but made the semifinals both times. The people paid to figure these things out have installed Sabalenka as the one to beat, ahead of Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff
All three of Sabalenka’s major singles titles have come on hard courts. She came close to breaking through on clay at Roland Garros but lost to Coco Gauff in a three-set final. She’s determined to give herself another opportunity, on a surface that suits her dynamic and increasingly evolving game.
Wimbledon: Scores | Order of play | Draw
The first set went about the way you’d expect when the No. 1-ranked player meets a No. 194 qualifier. This was the 24-year-old Canadian’s first Grand Slam main-draw match and was seeking only her second-career win at the Hologic WTA Tour level. She was impressive in qualifying, defeating No. 1 seed Lois Boisson — a surprise semifinalist at Roland Garros — and Bianca Andreescu along the way.
Sabalenka won six of seven games in a scant 24 minutes. Branstine’s only game came after a 120 mph ace to avoid a shutout, delighting the supportive crowd. After double-faulting on her first set point, an unreturnable serve gave her the frame.
Branstine settled down in the second set, finding a groove in her service games. She was serving at 5-all when Sabalenka finally solved the problem. With Sabalenka moving aggressively forward, Branstine hit a forehand into the net and, suddenly, Sabalenka was serving for the match.
The qualifier finished with seven aces, but won only 11 of her 24 second serves. Sabalenka finished with 17 winners and 18 unforced errors, while Branstine’s numbers were 17 and 26.
Sabalenka is now 24-5 in first-round matches at the Grand Slams and hasn’t lost in that situation in five and one-half years, going 19-0. She is a perfect 10-for-10 against qualifiers in majors and has yet to lose a set.
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