WIMBLEDON, England — Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player in women’s tennis, showcased her formidable skills with a decisive 6-1, 7-5 victory over Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine in the first round of Wimbledon. The match, held on an exceptionally warm opening day, lasted just 73 minutes on Court No. 1.
As the bookmakers’ favorite, Sabalenka demonstrated why she is considered a contender to claim her first Wimbledon title. Despite only competing in two of the last four Wimbledon tournaments, she reached the semifinals each time. With her powerful game and strong baseline play, Sabalenka has emerged as a leading force, with many anticipating a fierce competition against other formidable players like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff.
Although she has found success primarily on hard courts, which include her three Grand Slam titles, Sabalenka is eager to showcase her abilities on grass. Her near-miss at Roland Garros, where she lost to Gauff in a thrilling three-set final, has only fueled her determination to excel on a surface that complements her aggressive style of play.
In the match against Branstine, who was competing in her first Grand Slam main draw, the 24-year-old qualifier struggled to find her footing. Branstine had shown promise during her qualification rounds, where she defeated notable opponents, including the top-seeded Lois Boisson and former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu. However, against Sabalenka, she initially struggled to keep pace, losing six of the first seven games in a matter of just 24 minutes.
Branstine managed to avoid a complete shutout by delivering a powerful 120 mph ace, which momentarily energized the crowd. She finally secured a game, but her serve faltered at critical moments, including a double fault at set point.
The second set saw a shift, as Branstine started to settle into her rhythm, effectively holding her serve and maintaining competitiveness against the top seed. At 5-all, Sabalenka seized the opportunity, putting immense pressure on Branstine. A forehand error from the Canadian allowed Sabalenka to serve for the match.
Throughout the encounter, Branstine recorded seven aces but faced challenges with her second serve, winning only 11 of 24. Sabalenka, meanwhile, ended the match with 17 winners and 18 unforced errors, highlighting both the power and the occasional inconsistency in her game.
With this victory, Sabalenka improved her first-round record at Grand Slam tournaments to an impressive 24-5, extending her unbeaten streak in first-round matches to 19—she hasn’t lost in this round since 2018. Furthermore, she remains undefeated against qualifiers in major events, showcasing her ability to deliver when it matters most. As Wimbledon progresses, many will be watching closely to see if Sabalenka can maintain her momentum and make a deeper run in this prestigious tournament.