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- United News of India
Aryna Sabalenka faces brutal Wimbledon draw
London, June 28 (UNI) Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed in the Ladies' Singles, faces a daunting route if she hopes to claim her maiden Wimbledon title this year. The draw, released yesterday, has placed the two-time Australian Open champion in a minefield of potential showdowns.
Sabalenka is likely to encounter stiff challenges right from the second round, possibly against 2023 quarterfinalist Lulu Sun. If she advances, she could face 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova, British star Emma Raducanu, or Nottingham Open winner McCartney Kessler in the early rounds.
The road only gets steeper with a projected fourth-round clash with No.14 seed Elina Svitolina, followed by a quarterfinal faceoff against this year's Australian Open winner, Madison Keys.
Meanwhile, No.4 seed and 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini has been handed a more favourable draw but could face a spirited third-round challenge from Czech teenager Linda Noskova. Should she progress, Amanda Anisimova or Beatriz Haddad Maia may await her in the last 16.
Qinwen Zheng, the No.5 seed and reigning Olympic gold medallist, has a potential second-round blockbuster against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. A win could set up a clash with Diana Shnaider, provided the latter gets past Jelena Ostapenko.
In the bottom half of the draw, 18-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva could run into two-time champion Petra Kvitova or Emma Navarro, before a possible quarterfinal with third seed Jessica Pegula. Pegula's early challenges include grass-court specialist Ekaterina Alexandrova and former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova starts her title defence against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines on Centre Court.
In the bottom quarter, No.2 seed and recent French Open winner Coco Gauff faces a tough opener against Nottingham finalist Dayana Yastremska. If she advances, former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin could await – a player who defeated Gauff in the first round here two years ago.
The draw also features 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, who may clash with Gauff in the fourth round. The winner of that match could then meet four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, who continues to chase success on grass. Swiatek, now ranked No.8, opted for a low-key build-up to Wimbledon by entering just the Bad Homburg event this season.
Swiatek, who won the junior title here in 2018, has yet to lift a senior title this year, but her talent remains undeniable. Wimbledon 2025 could provide her moment of grass-court breakthrough.
With 128 players in the draw – including 32 seeds, 16 qualifiers, and eight wild cards – this year's Championships promise drama and unpredictability at every turn.
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