Wimbledon 2021: Arina Sobolenko successfully reaches the 3rd round, Kayla Van knocks out Belinda Bencic
Second-seeded Arina Sabalenka lost the first set in a second-round match before winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 over Katie Boulter, while 9th-seeded Belinda Bencic was knocked out after losing 3-6, 3-6 in the women’s singles in the 1st round to Kaia Yuvan.
Sabalenka broke early in the final set before Boulter took a medical timeout for treatment on her right elbow. The 24-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of 82 in 2019 but has endured injury problems, returned to the court and broke her opponent’s serve to love.
Sabalenka broke back immediately, however, and consolidated her advantage to take a 4-2 lead. Boulter had six chances to break back in an eighth game lasting nearly 11 minutes but Sabalenka saved them all with massive first serves.
“I just have one question, guys — will you support me the same in the next round like you did today?” Sabalenka asked the British crowd.
crowd cheers wildly
“Now I’m happy,” Sabalenka replied.
The Belarusian, who will next meet either Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova or Colombian qualifier Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, converted her first match point and let out a huge roar in celebration.
