Aryna Sabalenka is into the third round of Wimbledon, managing to avoid another big upset.
After all, that has been the overwhelming story of the Championships so far, with so many seeds exiting the event in just the first round across both the men’s and women’s draws.
However, with that gulf in quality comes opportunity, especially for someone like the world number one.
Despite this clear route to the final, she has admitted one thing in her post-match on-court interview.
Aryna Sabalenka praises Marie Bouzková after reaching the Wimbledon third round
Starting off, Aryna Sabalenka sought to praise her dogged opponent, who actually served for the first set before the Belarusian turned on the style.
She began: ‘Well, yeah, it was a tough battle, and I’m super happy to win this match. She’s a tough opponent. We played a lot of close matches in the past, and I’m really happy to be through this difficult round.’
Then reacting to that crucial break back as Bouzkova sought to serve it out at 5-4, Sabalenka admitted: ‘Well, yeah, there was that tough moment of the match and honestly, I was just trying to put the ball back on that side and then hope that I’ll be able to break her back because till that point, my return wasn’t’ great enough to break her serve.
‘I’m really glad that in that moment, everything clicked together, and I was able to break her back, and I kind of like felt a little bit better at that moment, and I think that’s why I was able to win the tiebreak and I get the win in straight sets.’
Sabalenka concluded by talking about the shocking mass exodus of all the big seeds, with a record number of 23 exiting in the first round across the men’s and women’s.
She finished: ‘Honestly, it’s very sad to see so many top players losing in the first round, but at the same time it shows that you better focus on yourself and stay away from the results.
‘I mean, of course you’re going to know the the overall picture, but it’s better just take it one step at a time and do your best every time here competing and yeah, I’m trying to, you know, stay away, I hope it’s no upsets anymore in this tournament [Laughs].
‘I mean, if you know what I mean.’
Aryna Sabalenka will be quietly excited at the Wimbledon draw
Perhaps Sabalenka’s practice sessions with Novak Djokovic have been paying off, as the world number one just continues to get better and better.
And yet, this was arguably quite a nervous display from the 27-year-old, particularly in that first set.
She made numerous uncharacteristic errors, moving Bouzkova into the right positions before then squandering her chances.
However, ramping up the pressure as her opponent sought to serve it out, the nerves settled, and Sabalenka claimed the second set.
Coming through this tricky match will feel so important for her, given the likes of Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Qinwen Zheng and Paula Badosa have all already been knocked out of Wimbledon.
The draw is wide open for Sabalenka to romp to the title.
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