WIMBLEDON — Aryna Sabalenka has made it her business to take care of business against players she’s expected to beat. As the World No. 1, that’s virtually every match.
Pushed to the limit early on Centre Court, Aryna Sabalenka delivered another methodically relentless performance on Wednesday, edging past Marie Bouzkova 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the third round.
Next up is an enticing matchup Friday against the winner of the later contest between Marketa Vondrousova and Emma Raducanu, Grand Slam champions both.
Sabalenka’s record this year against opponents ranked outside the Top 20 is now a sporty 29-4. It’s 20-4 in the second round of Grand Slams, including 18 straight.
Sabalenka’s power was calibrated nicely, as she finished with 40 winners, against only 18 unforced errors. She served five aces and won 31of 35 first-serve points and was a searing 27-for-34 in points that she finished at net,
Bouzkova is a clever, resourceful player. She doesn’t have the weight of shot or the athleticism of Sabalenka, but finds a way with well-placed shots, surprising serves and remarkable defense.
The score was on serve at 4-5 in the first-set tiebreak when Sabalenka finally separated herself. After two huge shots from Sabalenka, Bouzkova couldn’t land a forehand. On set point, against Bouzkova’s weak 67 mile-an-hour second serve, Sabalenka hit a forehand return so hard it may still be going.
The second set was more conventional, with Sabalenka breaking Bouzkova’s serve in the sixth game and riding that advantage to the end. Match point was a forehand into the open court that nicely captured her victory.
Sabalenka didn’t play on Tuesday, but the field of challengers was thinned dramatically when No. 2 seed Coco Gauff, No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 5 Zheng Qinwen all lost.
In her only two appearances here over the past four years, Sabalenka has reached the semifinals. This year, she looks determined to take it a step further.