Sabalenka claims tricky win to maintain title pursuit at Wimbledon

London, July 2 -- World number one Aryna Sabalenka continued her pursuit of a maiden Wimbledon title with a hard-fought victory over Czech player Marie Bouzkova.

After a record number of seeds fell across the opening two days - a total of eight top-10 players across the men's and women's singles draws - Sabalenka avoided that same fate with a gritty 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over the world number 48.

The Belarusian is aiming to add the Venus Rosewater Dish to her three other Grand Slam triumphs at the US and Australian Opens.

Sabalenka, 27, has reached the final of both majors so far this year, but lost to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the French Open.

She could face Emma Raducanu in round three, should the British num...