Top seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Canadian Carson Branstine 6-4, 6-5 in the first round of Wimbledon on the opening day of the 2025 Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The Belarusian, a three-time Grand Slam champion, controlled the first set as Branstine struggled with her serve, but faced stiffer resistance in the second set before breaking in the 11th game to secure victory.
Who is Carson Branstine?
Branstine, 24, was competing in her first Grand Slam main-draw match after advancing through qualifying with notable victories over French Open semi-finalist Lois Boisson and Bianca Andreescu. She showed resilience in the second set, winning the opening game on serve and creating a break opportunity before Sabalenka's late surge proved decisive.
What's next for Sabalenka?
Sabalenka will face either New Zealand's Lulu Sun or Czech player Marie Bouzkova in the second round. The Belarusian has never advanced beyond the semi-finals at Wimbledon and is seeking to recover from recent losses in the finals of the Australian Open and French Open this year.
Sources
- Ahram Online: Tennis: Top seed Sabalenka cruises into Wimbledon second round. Sports desk, 2026-06-19.