Alcaraz aims to avoid Wimbledon giant-killing after Sabalenka wins

London: Carlos Alcaraz will aim to avoid one of Wimbledon s greatest upsets against British amateur Oliver Tarvet on Wednesday after Aryna Sabalenka s...

London: Carlos Alcaraz will aim to avoid one of Wimbledon's greatest upsets against British amateur Oliver Tarvet on Wednesday after Aryna Sabalenka stemmed the tide of shock exits.

Two days of searing temperatures in London gave way to persistent drizzle that delayed play but the sun eventually returned during the second-round matches.

Women's world number one Sabalenka opened proceedings on Centre Court, out-duelling 48th-ranked Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in a heavy-hitting contest.

The Belarusian, who suffered painful defeats in the finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open this year, lashed an impressive 41 winners in a match lasting one hour and 35 minutes.

It meant she avoided the fate of several top stars including second seed Coco Gauff, third seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, who crashed out in the first-round.