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World number one Ashleigh Barty ground out a second-round win over Anna Blinkova as the Wimbledon draw opened up further for her with the exit of third seed Elina Svitolina.
Barty’s serve was error-strewn but she dug deep to secure a 6-4 6-3 win.
American 20th seed Coco Gauff followed Barty into the third round by defeating Russia’s Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-3 on Centre Court.
But Ukraine’s Svitolina is out, beaten 6-3 6-4 by Magda Linette.
There are now just three top-10 players remaining in the draw – Barty, second seed Aryna Sabalenka and 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek.
Barty has reached the Wimbledon third round for the third successive tournament and will play Czech Katerina Siniakova.
Barty was broken twice in an opening set in which she made five double faults, but she fought back to win four games in a row at the end of the first set and into the second.
While her serve did not improve, her attacking prowess powered her through, despite more unforced errors allowing Blinkova to break once again.
But Barty’s movement allowed her to take control, clinching another break on the backhand before navigating an eight-minute game to hold.
She broke Blinkova again on the Russian’s final service game to win but was full of praise for her opponent.
“We had to do a lot of homework to try to figure out her game,” said Barty. “She played a great match today – a few points here and there and it could have been a different story.
“I’m happy to be able to get through and get another opportunity to play.”
Gauff, 17, will play Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan in the third round, after needing just 70 minutes to dispatch former world number 13 Vesnina.
“It means a lot to be back here on Centre Court. Honestly this court makes me the most nervous than any court in the world,” she said.
“[Vesnina’s] a great player, she has had great results, she is really consistent. Today I just tried to stay focused on every point, I knew she was going to fight until the very end and she did.”
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, seeded 12th, was knocked out 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-4 by Romanian Sorana Cirstea.
Czech French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded 14th, progressed without too much trouble, defeating Andrea Petkovic 7-5 6-4, but 15th seed Maria Sakkari, of Greece, lost 7-5 6-4 to American Shelby Rogers.
Meanwhile, 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber came through a tough encounter, beating Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5 5-7 6-4.
The German sealed victory on her second match point, which came one hour 20 minutes after her first, having failed to convert one at 5-4 in the second set.
Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, who won Eastbourne last week, came through 6-1 3-6 8-6 against Russian Daria Kasatkina, who twice served for the match.
Women’s draw wide open (again!)
In a manner that has become familiar at recent Grand Slams, the Wimbledon women’s draw has become wide open.
Fourth and fifth seeds Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu exited the Championships on Wednesday, while sixth seed Serena Williams was forced to retire from her first-round match on Tuesday with an injury.
The tournament was already without world number two and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and defending champion Simona Halep, the world number three.
Tenth seed and two-time champion Petra Kvitova and Swiss ninth seed Belinda Bencic lost in the first round.
“I think there been a lot of talk about that that for the past two years there has been really a big race in women’s game where anyone can win any tournament,” Ukrainian Svitolina said after her defeat.
“A lot of good players, doesn’t matter about the ranking, they can challenge you with amazing performance. First, second round, there is all the time tough matches.
“Everyone is extremely fit. I think it’s also a big step for tennis. Everyone seems like the same level. So I think that’s what’s really changed. It’s like physically everyone is ready to beat you.”
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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