Aryna Sabalenka the last top-five seed standing after shock Jasmine Paolini exit
Sabalenka avoided a similar fate in Wednesday's round-two matches thanks to a close-fought 7-6 (4) 6-4 victory over Czech world number 48 Bouzkova in a big-hitting battle on Centre Court.
But fourth-seeded Italian Paolini, who was defeated by Barbora Krejcikova in the 2024 final, lost 4-6 6-4 6-4 to Russian world number 80 Kamilla Rakhimova.
Unseeded 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova was also eliminated. She was defeated 6-3 6-3 by British number one Emma Raducanu, who will face top seed Sabalenka in a mouthwatering third-round encounter.
Three-time major winner Sabalenka is chasing a maiden SW19 title, having missed last year's Championships because of a shoulder injury after being absent in 2022 due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
Second set ✅ Second round ✅
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka defeats Marie Bouzkova 7-6(4), 6-4 after a tough battle on Centre Court 😮💨#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/9l8VVWeyzp
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 2, 2025
'Honestly, it is sad to see so many upsets in the tournament,' said the 27-year-old. 'But you better focus on yourself and stay away from the results.
'Of course, you're going to know the overall picture but it's better just to take it one step at a time.
'I hope it is no upsets anymore in this tournament – if you know what I mean! I'm really happy to be through this difficult round.'
Sixth seed Madison Keys avoided joining fellow Americans Gauff and Pegula in booking an early flight home by overcoming Serbian world number 37 Olga Danilovic 6-4 6-2.
But world number nine Diana Shnaider was knocked out, in addition to fellow seeds Beatriz Haddad Maia, Donna Vekic, Leylah Fernandez and Ashlyn Krueger.
Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka eased through, defeating Zheng's first-round conqueror Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-2.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
19 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Sport stars pay tribute to late Doddie Weir in birthday video
The video has been created to honour the memory of Weir, and the legacy of the foundation he set up to find effective treatments for motor neurone disease (MND) after he was diagnosed with it in 2016. Weir founded the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and died in November 2022 aged 52. Those in the video include Olympic swimming medallist Duncan Scott, Olympic curling medallist Eve Muirhead, broadcaster and ex-footballer Ally McCoist, former England rugby player Mike Tindall and British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith. Supporters from across the UK will wear Doddie tartan to work on Friday July 4, as part of a tradition marking what would have been the former rugby player's birthday. Kenny Logan, who played alongside Doddie as part of the 1999 Five Nations-winning Scotland side, said: 'Doddie was a leader in life, and he remains a leader in death. 'His memory inspires thousands of people, both inside and outside of the MND community, to take action and help bring an end to this devastating disease. 'We all know Doddie should still be here with us. He brought light and laughter into every room, even in the darkest days. It's up to all of us to dig deep, keep fundraising and finish what he started. 'We do it because we miss him. We do it because we love him. And we do it because nobody else should have to go through what he and his family did.' The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed almost £20 million to targeted research projects and launched a Catalysing A Cure strategy to speed up the search for effective treatments. Earlier this year it pledged £4 million to the MND Discovery Network, a new UK-wide initiative connecting leading scientists to accelerate progress. The film also features Jennie Starkey, who is living with MND and is part of the Foundation's Discovery Network board. The video comes after the end of the Doddie's Lions Challenge, in which a team led by Logan and including Ally McCoist, Gabby Logan, and Doddie's widow Kathy, cycled 555 miles around the island of Ireland in five days to deliver the match ball for the British and Irish Lions vs Argentina fixture in Dublin. The ride has so far raised almost £650,000 for MND research. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation chief executive Nicola Roseman, said: 'Doddie's spirit continues to galvanise the MND community. 'The outpouring of support and emotion on what would have been his 55th birthday shows just how many lives he touched and how much his story still matters. It also reminds us that there is still work to be done. 'Every birthday that passes without Doddie is another reminder of the urgency of our mission.' To find out more about My Name'5 Doddie Foundation or to donate, visit
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Sport stars pay tribute to late Doddie Weir in birthday video
The video has been created to honour the memory of Weir, and the legacy of the foundation he set up to find effective treatments for motor neurone disease (MND) after he was diagnosed with it in 2016. Weir founded the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and died in November 2022 aged 52. Those in the video include Olympic swimming medallist Duncan Scott, Olympic curling medallist Eve Muirhead, broadcaster and ex-footballer Ally McCoist, former England rugby player Mike Tindall and British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith. Supporters from across the UK will wear Doddie tartan to work on Friday July 4, as part of a tradition marking what would have been the former rugby player's birthday. Kenny Logan, who played alongside Doddie as part of the 1999 Five Nations-winning Scotland side, said: 'Doddie was a leader in life, and he remains a leader in death. 'His memory inspires thousands of people, both inside and outside of the MND community, to take action and help bring an end to this devastating disease. 'We all know Doddie should still be here with us. He brought light and laughter into every room, even in the darkest days. It's up to all of us to dig deep, keep fundraising and finish what he started. 'We do it because we miss him. We do it because we love him. And we do it because nobody else should have to go through what he and his family did.' The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed almost £20 million to targeted research projects and launched a Catalysing A Cure strategy to speed up the search for effective treatments. Earlier this year it pledged £4 million to the MND Discovery Network, a new UK-wide initiative connecting leading scientists to accelerate progress. The film also features Jennie Starkey, who is living with MND and is part of the Foundation's Discovery Network board. The video comes after the end of the Doddie's Lions Challenge, in which a team led by Logan and including Ally McCoist, Gabby Logan, and Doddie's widow Kathy, cycled 555 miles around the island of Ireland in five days to deliver the match ball for the British and Irish Lions vs Argentina fixture in Dublin. The ride has so far raised almost £650,000 for MND research. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation chief executive Nicola Roseman, said: 'Doddie's spirit continues to galvanise the MND community. 'The outpouring of support and emotion on what would have been his 55th birthday shows just how many lives he touched and how much his story still matters. It also reminds us that there is still work to be done. 'Every birthday that passes without Doddie is another reminder of the urgency of our mission.' To find out more about My Name'5 Doddie Foundation or to donate, visit
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Sport stars pay tribute to late Doddie Weir in birthday video
The video has been created to honour the memory of Weir, and the legacy of the foundation he set up to find effective treatments for motor neurone disease (MND) after he was diagnosed with it in 2016. Weir founded the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and died in November 2022 aged 52. Those in the video include Olympic swimming medallist Duncan Scott, Olympic curling medallist Eve Muirhead, broadcaster and ex-footballer Ally McCoist, former England rugby player Mike Tindall and British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith. (left-right) Doddie Weir's son Hamish Weir, Doddie Weir's wife Kathy Weir, Ally McCoist and Kenny Logan celebrate the conclusion of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge (Brian Lawless/PA) Supporters from across the UK will wear Doddie tartan to work on Friday July 4, as part of a tradition marking what would have been the former rugby player's birthday. Kenny Logan, who played alongside Doddie as part of the 1999 Five Nations-winning Scotland side, said: 'Doddie was a leader in life, and he remains a leader in death. 'His memory inspires thousands of people, both inside and outside of the MND community, to take action and help bring an end to this devastating disease. 'We all know Doddie should still be here with us. He brought light and laughter into every room, even in the darkest days. It's up to all of us to dig deep, keep fundraising and finish what he started. 'We do it because we miss him. We do it because we love him. And we do it because nobody else should have to go through what he and his family did.' The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed almost £20 million to targeted research projects and launched a Catalysing A Cure strategy to speed up the search for effective treatments. Curler Eve Muirhead is among those in the video (Andrew Milligan/PA) Earlier this year it pledged £4 million to the MND Discovery Network, a new UK-wide initiative connecting leading scientists to accelerate progress. The film also features Jennie Starkey, who is living with MND and is part of the Foundation's Discovery Network board. The video comes after the end of the Doddie's Lions Challenge, in which a team led by Logan and including Ally McCoist, Gabby Logan, and Doddie's widow Kathy, cycled 555 miles around the island of Ireland in five days to deliver the match ball for the British and Irish Lions vs Argentina fixture in Dublin. The ride has so far raised almost £650,000 for MND research. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation chief executive Nicola Roseman, said: 'Doddie's spirit continues to galvanise the MND community. 'The outpouring of support and emotion on what would have been his 55th birthday shows just how many lives he touched and how much his story still matters. It also reminds us that there is still work to be done. 'Every birthday that passes without Doddie is another reminder of the urgency of our mission.' To find out more about My Name'5 Doddie Foundation or to donate, visit
