Sabalenka, Swiatek Advance At Wimbledon As More Seeds Fall; Gauff Gets Top Billing

Another day of more upsets in the women’s draw at Wimbledon as three more top 10 seeds fell as No. 4 Sofia Kenin, No. 5 Bianca Andreescu and No. 9 Belinda Bencic were all eliminated.

Kenin’s miserable 2021 continued as the former Australian Open champion was upset by Madison Brengle 6-2, 6-4. Earlier, Andreescu was ousted for a second time this grass season by Alize Cornet who pulled the upset 6-2, 6-1. And Bencic was shocked by Kaja Juvan 6-3. 6-3.

Arya Sabalenka avoided the upset bug but barely by hanging on to beat a tough Katie Boulter 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in just over two hours on Centre Court. Sabalenka struggled mightily with the 219th-ranked Brit but survived to reach her first Wimbledon third round.

“It was a really tough match today, she’s an unbelievable player and it was a really, really tough match. I don’t know how – maybe because of you guys, I didn’t want you to be more happy than you were in my match, so I really wanted to win this match,” Sabalenka said to the crowd.

Former junior champion Iga Swiatek is quitely rolling through the draw. Today, the French champion cruised past former No. 2 Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 6-3.

“Every match gives me an opportunity to have more and more confidence,” Swiatek said. “So I’m pretty happy with my performance today.”

Elise Mertens and Madison Keys have also both had easy runs, and they’ll now meet on Friday.

Karolina Pliskova and former champion Garbine Muguruza also advanced. Muguruza has lost just six games in two matches. Victoria Azarenka, Karolina Muchova and Berlin champion Liudmilla Samsonova were winners as well. Samsonova set up a good third round affair against Sloane Stephens.

Five-time winner Venus Williams could keep her family in the tournament. The 41-year-old put up a good fight early but faded in a 7-5, 6-0 loss to Ons Jabeur.

“Of course I want to come back, who wouldn’t?” said Venus who is still in the mixed doubles with Nick Kyrgios. “When it’s my last Wimbledon, I’ll let you know. I’ll give you a little whisper in your ear.”

On Thursday, top ranked and tournament favorite Ash Barty is back on Centre Court to take on Anna Blinkova. And after a strong opening round performance, Coco Gauff returns to Centre Court to meet former semifinalist Elena Vesnina.

Former winner Angelique Kerber, the streak Barbora Krejcikova and Elina Svitolina are also scheduled.

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