Wimbledon 2023: Aryna Sabalenka mounts comeback to survive Varvara Gracheva scare and reach third round

Aryna Sabalenka survived a scare to reach the third round at Wimbledon, coming from a set down to beat French youngster Varvara Gracheva. The second seed found herself in serious trouble after surrendering the opening set, but she grit her teeth to launch a fightback and eventually triumph 2-6 7-5 6-2. Ad It was far from a complete performance from the Australian Open champion, who was unable to compete at the All England Club last year due to the tournament’s ban of Russian and Belarusian players.

Wimbledon‘She might be the favourite’ – Wilander talks up Sabalenka chances after convincing win04/07/2023 AT 18:22 But Sabalenka did enough to battle through in her bid to reach a fourth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final, and she will face world No. 40 Anna Blinkova next. It was an ominous start for Gracheva, as she immediately coughed up two break points in the opening game and lost the first through an unforced error.

But the Frenchwoman showed signs of what was to come with a superb response, earning an immediate break-back point and seizing it when Sabalenka’s forehand drifted long. Medvedev and Rune march into third round at Wimbledon Wimbledon Day 5 LIVE — Alcaraz leading, Murray to resume, Djokovic and Swiatek later Murray ahead against Tsitsipas despite injury scare as Wimbledon curfew halts match The second seed’s serve then fell to pieces towards the end of the set. Gracheva won every point on Sabalenka’s serve for two consecutive games to break her 25-year-old opponent twice and win four consecutive games to clinch the opener.