Jabeur and Swiatek march on at Wimbledon in wide-open women's field

Ons Jabeur and Iga Swiatek both laid down markers for their Wimbledon title ambitions on Friday by securing straight-sets wins to reach the third round and last 16 respectively.

Jabeur, looking to go one step further at Wimbledon this year after losing the final in 2022, made quick work of Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan on Court One with a 6-1 6-1 victory in just 45 minutes. Over on Centre Court, top-seed Swiatek defeated 30th-seeded Petra Martic 6-2, 7-5.

In front of a half-empty Court One, Jabeur barely needed to get out of third gear to outclass Bai, who struggled to match her opponent stroke for stroke as her unforced error count climbed with every game.

"It was a good game, she (Bai) played the qualifying here and she qualified. I believe she had a great tournament, so I wish her all the best. But I tried to play like a top 10 player," the Tunisian sixth seed said.

"Here I try to work a lot on my serve. I believe the stats will say it's better. We'll see with my coach later if he gives me a hard time or not.

"Overall I tried to play clean and, for once, what my coach says!"

Bai slipped and fell in the opening set while chasing a drop shot near the net but was quickly back on her feet to scattered applause.

However, Jabeur showed no mercy and sealed victory on her first match point with a deft lob at the net to set up a third round match with former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu of Canada.

Swiatek has equalled her best effort at Wimbledon by reaching the fourth round and is aiming to go back-to-back at the Grand Slams after winning her third Roland Garros title - and fourth overall major - last time out.

Iga Swiatek deefeated Petra Martic to reach the Wimbledon fourth round. EPA

“It’s just a totally different