Wimbledon 2023: Aryna Sabalenka outclasses Ekaterina Alexandrova to reach quarter-finals, Ons Jabeur breezes through

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 6-0 on Monday afternoon to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, while Ons Jabeur breezed past Petra Kvitova.

Sabalenka was unable to compete at Wimbledon last year due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, but after a year away she looks to be one of the favourites alongside world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and defending champion Elena Rybakina.

She already has this season’s Australian Open to her name and is on course – for now at least – to make it two Grand Slams in a calendar year.

She was facing Alexandrova, another player forced to miss last year due to her Russian passport, and she had her opponent on the back foot as she utilised not just her superior power, but her nous.

Her tactic of employing drop-shots stopped her rival from finding her rhythm at crucial points in the first set, including the final game to bring up three set points before Alexandrova was broken on a double-fault.

In the second set, she took the first game with a superb inside-out forehand and then broke Alexandrova immediately, while another double-fault on break point moved the second seed 4-0 up with victory looking assured. A bagel set swiftly followed.

American Madison Keys, the 25th seed, awaits in the last eight.

Speaking afterwards on court to BBC Sport, Sabalenka said: “I think it was a great match. I’m super happy with this win. Ekaterina Alexandrova is a really tough opponent to play against. I’m super happy with the level I played today.

“I’m really enjoying being here. Super happy to be back and I’m really enjoying every second on court. I just want to stay as long as I can here.”

Jabeur’s encounter with Kvitova pitted last year’s finalist against a two-time SW19 winner.

It had been expected to be much closer than it was, but Kvitova just could not find her range as – conversely – Jabeur looked entirely comfortable on Centre Court.

The Tunisian bageled her opponent to take the first set in quick time, and though Kvitova belatedly got on the board at the start of the second, Jabeur kept up her intensity to finish the match off, coming through 6-0 6-3.

“It will be a difficult match,” Jabeur said. “I’m probably going for my revenge. It was a difficult final last year.

“It’s going to bring a lot of memories. I’m hoping to play like today and just get the win.

“She’s an amazing player. You can see she’s like ‘boom boom’ all the time! There’s no mercy with her so let’s see what’s going to happen.”

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