Tennis: Sabalenka praying for no more Wimbledon upsets after battling win - Omni sports
Several stars suffered shock first round exits from the All England Club, including second seed Coco Gauff, third seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen.
Top seed Sabalenka was pushed hard by Bouzkova in Wednesday's opening match on Centre Court as her Czech opponent matched fire with fire in a bruising encounter.
But she eventually had too much in her locker for her 48th-ranked opponent, firing an impressive 41 winners in a match lasting one hour and 35 minutes.
The Belarusian said after her win she was aware of the seeds who had crashed out but planned to focus on her own game.
"Honestly it's very sad to see so many top players losing in the first round but you better focus on yourself and stay away from the results," she said.
"I mean of course you're going to know the overall picture but it's better to take it one step at a time and do your best every time you're out here competing and I'm trying to stay away.
"I hope it's no upsets anymore in this tournament, if you know what I mean!"
The first set went with serve until Sabalenka doubled-faulted in the 11th game to hand Bouzkova the chance to serve for the set.
But the Belarusian broke back with a searing backhand down the line and came out on top in the tie-break to establish a foothold in the match.
Sabalenka broke again in the fifth game of the second set to move within sight of victory and closed out the match with little fuss.
She will face 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu or former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the third round on Friday.
Although Sabalenka is a three-time Grand Slam champion, she has suffered agonising three-set defeats in this year's Australian Open and French Open finals.
The 27-year-old has never been beyond the Wimbledon semi-finals and missed last year's tournament with a shoulder injury.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
25 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
'We will all miss you': Cristiano Ronaldo on Diogo Jota's death - World
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his international team-mate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash on Thursday, saying "we will all miss you." The Liverpool and Portugal star, 28, died along with his younger brother Andre when their vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora province, Spain. "It makes no sense. We were just together with the national team (they won the Nations League title last month), you had just gotten married," he posted on X. "To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you." Jota's death comes only a month after he and Ronaldo were celebrating on the pitch after Portugal won the Nations League title beating Spain on penalties. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
40 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Former Ahly keeper Hamza Alaa joins Portuguese 2nd-tier club Portimonense - Talents Abroad
Portuguese second-tier club Portimonense have signed former Ahly goalkeeper Hamza Alaa on a free transfer, the Algarve side said on Thursday. The 23-year-old Egypt international penned a two-year deal to June 2027 after leaving Cairo giants Ahly when his contract expired at the end of last season. 'I'm here to help and I'll give my utmost to achieve Portimonense's goals,' Alaa told the club's website after completing the move. Portimonense, relegated from the Primeira Liga in May, announced Alaa as one of four close-season recruits as they seek an immediate return to the top flight. Alaa was Egypt's first-choice keeper at Paris Olympics, where the Pharaohs finished fourth. He played primarily as a back-up at Ahly but featured in domestic cup matches during the club's treble-winning 2023-24 campaign. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Former Ahly keeper Hamza Alaa joins Portuguee second-tier club Portimonense - Talents Abroad
Portuguese second-tier club Portimonense have signed former Ahly goalkeeper Hamza Alaa on a free transfer, the Algarve side said on Thursday. The 23-year-old Egypt international penned a two-year deal to June 2027 after leaving Cairo giants Ahly when his contract expired at the end of last season. 'I'm here to help and I'll give my utmost to achieve Portimonense's goals,' Alaa told the club's website after completing the move. Portimonense, relegated from the Primeira Liga in May, announced Alaa as one of four close-season recruits as they seek an immediate return to the top flight. Alaa was Egypt's first-choice keeper at Paris Olympics, where the Pharaohs finished fourth. He played primarily as a back-up at Ahly but featured in domestic cup matches during the club's treble-winning 2023-24 campaign. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
