Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the Wimbledon first round with a comfortable victory over Jelena Ostapenko on Friday afternoon.
Sabalenka, the world number one, defeated the 2017 Roland Garros champion 6-4, 6-4 on Wimbledon Centre Court.
It was a comprehensive performance from Sabalenka, who served nine aces en route to victory.
How many Grand Slams will Aryna Sabalenka win this year?
She looks unstoppable right now!
Sabalenka has now set up a blockbuster clash against four-time major champion, Naomi Osaka, in the fourth round.
The 28-year-old has also emulated the personal achievement of tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Aryna Sabalenka has won 36 Grand Slam matches as world number one
As reported by statisticians OptaAce, Aryna Sabalenka has claimed 36 Grand Slam wins as top-seed, equalling Billie Jean King [pictured below] for the ninth-most in the Open Era.
King is a legendary tennis figure – a pioneer who won 18 major singles titles across the amateur and Open Era and led the movement for equal prize money across the sexes.
Sabalenka can overtake King’s total when she plays Naomi Osaka in the next round.
Sabalenka should feel confident heading into Sunday’s matchup. After all, the Belarusian has won her last three matches against the Japanese star.
All three of these victories have occurred this year: at Indian Wells, Madrid, and Roland Garros.
Their last match was contested in the French Open fourth round.
Sabalenka defeated Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in what was the first women’s night match at the event for three years.
“I’m not really overthinking, I was able to kind of, like, separate myself from what’s going on this year at the Roland Garros,” Sabalenka said afterwards. “I have been around. Anything can happen. That’s tennis. That’s sport, you know?
“I’m just trying, once again, you know, to be focused on myself and make sure that when I’m there competing, I’m bringing my best level that I have, and I’m there, I’m fighting, and you know, I’m doing everything I can to get this trophy.”
Sabalenka went on to lose in the quarter-finals in dramatic fashion.
Who could Aryna Sabalenka or Naomi Osaka play in the quarter-finals?
The winner of Sabalenka and Osaka will play Barbora Krejcikova or Karolina Muchová in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
Sabalenka has a 7-1 record against Krejcikova, while Osaka has won her only match against the 2024 Wimbledon champion.
Osaka has a 3-3 record against Muchova, while Sabalenka has a 2-3 record against the Czech player.
The winner of this future quarter-final match will play one of Jessica Pegula, Iva Jovic, Belinda Bencic, or Coco Gauff in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
Whoever reaches the final out of the players listed will most likely face either Elena Rybakina or Iga Swiatek in the final.
