Wimbledon 2023: Aryna Sabalenka through to fourth round after straight-sets victory over Anna Blinkova

Aryna Sabalenka saw off Anna Blinkova 6-2 6-3 in their third-round encounter on Saturday afternoon at Wimbledon. The No. 2 seed is now into the fourth round following victory over her Russian opponent.

Ad Blinkova had impressed in her second-round defeat of Irina-Camelia Begu, but facing a player of Sabalenka’s quality looked a step too far at times. WimbledonWimbledon 2023: Day 6 Order of Play and schedule – When are Alcaraz, Boulter and Sabalenka playing?21 HOURS AGO The reigning Australian Open champion broke Blinkova three times to take the first set in style, leaving her poised for a routine victory. However, Blinkova was able to break the Belarusian in the opening of the second set to go 2-1 clear with her serve still to come, but Sabalenka immediately broke back, and held serve to go 3-2 up.

In contrast to her more troublesome time against Varvara Gracheva in the second round, Sabalenka was in much more fluent form and broke once again to move 4-2 up. Alcaraz battles past Jarry to reach Wimbledon fourth round, Medvedev also through 'Thank God' — Tsitsipas relieved to be out of mixed doubles with Badosa injured 'It was hell' — Kvitova plagued by insects in Sasnovich victory Blinkova had a brief glimmer of hope thereafter but she squandered four break points with Sabalenka refusing to give up on the game. At 5-2 the world No.

40 was left serving to remain in the match and moved 5-3 behind, but could not stave off defeat any longer as Sabalenka closed it out. Speaking after her victory, Sabalenka said the match had been «like a nightmare». She told the BBC: «It was a tough game, she played really well.