Aryna Sabalenka extends Grand Slam record over Novak Djokovic after latest win at Wimbledon

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Aryna Sabalenka defeated McCartney Kessler, 6-1, 7-6, [11-9] in the second round of Wimbledon.

The world number one found herself in a troubling position during the second set, trailing the American 2-5, but fought back brilliantly on Wimbledon’s Court 1, winning an epic tiebreak to seal her spot in round three.

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Winning the tiebreak, Sabalenka extended her own remarkable Grand Slam record.

Aryna Sabalenka extends her record for consecutive Grand Slam tiebreaks won

No player in Open Era history has won more consecutive Grand Slam tiebreaks than Sabalenka.

The Belarusian has won her last 21 tiebreaks at major tournaments.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Grand Slam tiebreak streak (21)

• 1 – 2023 French Open SF [LOSS] vs Karolina Muchova, 6-7, 7-6 (7-5), 5-7
• 2 – 2023 Wimbledon SF [LOSS] vs Ons Jabeur, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 3-6
• 3/4 – 2023 US Open SF [WIN] vs Madison Keys, 0-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-5)
• 5 – 2024 Australian Open SF [WIN] vs Coco Gauff, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
• 6 – 2024 French Open QF [LOSS] vs Mirra Andreeva, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 4-6
• 7 – 2024 US Open SF [WIN] vs Emma Navarro, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
• 8 – 2025 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Clara Tauson, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
• 9 – 2025 French Open QF [WIN] vs Qinwen Zheng, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
• 10 – 2025 French Open SF [WIN] vs Iga Swiatek, 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0
• 11 – 2025 French Open F [LOSS] vs Coco Gauff, 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 4-6
• 12 – 2025 Wimbledon 2R [WIN] vs Marie Bouzkova, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
• 13 – 2025 Wimbledon 3R [WIN] vs Emma Raducanu, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
• 14 – 2025 Wimbledon 4R [WIN] vs Elise Mertens, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
• 15 – 2025 US Open 2R [WIN] vs Polina Kudermetova, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
• 16 – 2025 US Open 3R [WIN] vs Leylah Fernandez, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
• 17 – 2025 US Open F [WIN] vs Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
• 18/19 – 2026 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Anastasia Potapova, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7)
• 20 – 2026 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Victoria Mboko, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1)
• 21 – 2026 Wimbledon 2R [WIN] vs McCartney Kessler, 6-1, 7-6 (11-9)

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic won 19 consecutive tiebreaks between 2005 and 2007, but has surrendered the record to Sabalenka this year.

When the going gets tough, Sabalenka gets going, and she has proven that time and time again at Grand Slam events.

Had her streak ended today against Kessler, she may well have exited the competition.

But she refused to be beaten, raising her level when it mattered most, extending both her record and her stay at the All England Club.

The 28-year-old was pleased with her performance, sharing her thoughts during her on-court interview.

“That was a true battle. I’m super happy I was able to stay in that second set, get in the tie-break,” said Sabalenka.

“Was truly a great fight and level in that second set from her, and she really tested me today. I’m really happy to pass the test. And really unbelievable atmosphere, thank you so much.”

Sabalenka was then asked what she was telling herself during the gruelling second set.

“I was just keeping telling myself to stay low and put the pressure back on her, and maybe you will be lucky enough to get this set,” she said.

“She played incredibly, stayed super aggressive, it felt like whatever decision she made, it would work for her. Was really tough to handle that set. Once again, I’m glad to power through that set.”

Finally, Sabalenka gave herself a rating for her second-round performance.

“Tough one, to be honest. I would say if we are talking about the fight and having to overcome some tests, I would say probably nine out of 10 because that was really tough to overcome in the second set,” she said.

Sabalenka deserves a lot of credit for the way she dug in to seal her spot in the round of 32, but who will she play next?

Aryna Sabalenka faces tricky Jelena Ostapenko test at Wimbledon

There are few opponents more difficult than Jelena Ostapenko.

You wouldn’t describe the 2017 French Open champion as consistent, but when she’s on, she’s almost unplayable.

Sabalenka knows that all too well, having lost to Ostapenko last year in the final of the Stuttgart Open.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko’s head-to-head record

She does, however, lead their head-to-head 3-1, and will be confident of recording a fourth win over Ostapenko when they battle it out for a place in the fourth round.

Sabalenka will play Ostapenko on Friday, July 3.