Sabalenka sets up third-round clash with Ostapenko

AFP | London

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World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled through a tough second set against American McCartney Kessler to reach the Wimbledon third round.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has reached 14 successive major quarter-finals, won 6-1, 7-6 (11/9) on Court One to secure a last-32 meeting with former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.

“That was a true battle and I’m super happy that I was able to stay in that second set to get into that tie-break,” said Sabalenka.

“She really tested me and I’m super happy to pass the test.”

Sabalenka has never won Wimbledon, losing in the semi-finals on each of her past three visits.

Kessler missed two set points when serving for the second set at 5-3 ahead, before Sabalenka fought back and took a tie-break, in which her 57th-ranked opponent saw another two set points come and go.