World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is back at Wimbledon and proving she is likely the player to beat for this year’s Ladies’ Singles title.
The top seed, who missed the event last year due to injury, enjoyed a straight sets opening round victory over Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine 6-1, 7-5 on Court 1.
After the match, Sabalenka expressed how happy she was to be back at the All-England Club.
“I’m super happy to be back, to be healthy. To compete at this beautiful tournament," Sabalenka said. "I was really depressed last year that I couldn’t feel this atmosphere. I’m super happy with the performance.
"Happy to get through. Thank you guys for bringing such a great atmosphere. If someone would’ve told me that one day, I’d play the first match at Wimbledon with a full crowded stadium, I wouldn’t believe it. Thank you so much."
Sabalenka, who lost very close finals this year at the two earlier majors in Melbourne to Madison Keys and just recently Roland-Garros to Coco Gauff, hopes to finally win her first Wimbledon title.
In hot weather conditions, both women brought the heat with their potent groundstrokes and serves, especially in the second set. Branstine, currently ranked World No. 194 gained attention in the qualifying rounds after she knocked out surprise Roland-Garros semifinalist Lois Boisson and then former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu to reach the main draw.
The first set was a blur as the more experienced Sabalenka breezed through it 6-1 in just over 20 minutes.
The second set proved to be more of a contest as Branstine settled into the match and proved deserving to be there. In the second game, Branstine threatened to break serve before Sabalenka eventually fired down an ace to hold for 1-all. Branstine herself matched Sabalenka’s power with her own, especially on her own serve.
The Canadian fired down an ace to go up 4-3, and then later two more to go ahead 5-4. Sabalenka responded to the challenge by holding her own for 5-all.
The four-time major champion then made her move in the next game. Challenging Branstine’s serve, Sabalenka ripped a forehand return winner to go ahead 15-40. Sabalenka then clinched the break with a strong forehand approach for 6-5.
Sabalenka then with a strong serve in the final game closed out the match 6-1, 7-5.
Sabalenka had 17 winners and 18 unforced errors while Branstine hit 17 winners but 26 unforced errors.
The World No. 1 will next face either or Lulu Sun or Marie Bouzkova in round two.