London, World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka survived a gritty challenge from Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova to book her place in the third round of Wimbledon 2025. The Belarusian star, chasing her maiden Wimbledon title, had to dig deep before sealing a 7-6(4), 6-4 win on Centre Court.
Sabalenka, known for her powerful baseline game, was pushed out of her comfort zone by Bouzkova’s consistency and sharp angles. The first set saw both players trade breaks early before it headed into a tense tiebreak. Sabalenka edged it with aggressive shot-making and a crucial mini-break that tilted the balance in her favour.
The second set was no easier. Bouzkova held firm on serve and earned a couple of break chances, but Sabalenka’s heavy forehands and calm under pressure helped her wriggle out of trouble. A double fault from Bouzkova at 4-4 handed Sabalenka the decisive break, and the 2023 Australian Open champion made no mistake while serving out the match.
After the win, Sabalenka acknowledged the difficulty of the contest. “Marie is always a tough opponent. She doesn’t give you anything for free. I’m really happy I stayed focused and fought for every point,” she said in her post-match interview.
With several top seeds already knocked out in the early rounds, Sabalenka’s presence looms large in the women’s draw. She will next face the winner of the match between Britain’s Emma Raducanu and Czech player Marketa Vondrousova.
Sabalenka, who missed last year’s edition due to injury, is determined to make her mark on the Wimbledon grass this season. And with momentum on her side, she’s proving to be one of the favourites to watch.
