Wimbledon 2023: Reigning champion Elena Rybakina overpowers Alize Cornet to set up Katie Boulter clash

Defending Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina continued her title defence with a straight-sets win over Alize Cornet to set up a tantalising third-round tie against Katie Boulter.

Rybakina landed four aces and 35 winners in a commanding performance as she claimed a 6-2 7-6(2) victory in one hour and 47 minutes.

However, an unforced error count of 40 underlined that she didn’t have things her own way, particularly during a second set that she edged after Cornet fell heavily just before the tie-break.

“Of course I understand the crowd won’t be on my side this time, but hopefully it’s going to be a good match and everybody enjoys it,” said Rybakina.

Cornet developed a reputation as a giant-killer last year when she earned a stunning victory over top seed Iga Swiatek to end the Polish sensation’s record 37-match unbeaten run.

But another upset never looked on the cards on Centre Court as she was overpowered by the big-hitting third seed from Kazakhstan.

Rybakina started fast, losing just two points in the first three games as she broke Cornet either side of a pair of holds for a 3-0 lead.

The 33-year-old from France then got on the board, but couldn’t make any progress as she ended set one having won just one point against the Rybakina serve.

The reigning champion claimed a second break in the final game, winning every point on Cornet’s serve to finish off an ominous opener in 26 minutes.

Cornet rallied in a far more competitive second set, keeping proceedings on serve and finding more joy with her return game, but she struggled to carve out break point chances.

That was until she earned her first of the match after 53 minutes with the second set level at 3-3, but Cornet couldn’t make it count as she flopped a shot into the net.

Rybakina coughed up three more break points at 5-5 as she continued to be tested by her tenacious opponent, but showed her champion quality by saving all three to take the game to deuce.

Cornet continued applying pressure in an endless service game, but an unfortunate slip left her in tears of pain and limping towards her chair for a medical time-out.

She was able to continue and showed immense bravery to battle her way to a hold and force a second set tie-break, despite moving gingerly after her fall.

Rybakina had the edge at the change of ends with a 4-2 lead, but a double-fault from Cornet and two consecutive service points from the reigning champion clinched victory.

– – –