Aryna Sabalenka bemoans exit of top seeds after beating impressive Marie Bouzkova to reach third round of Wimbledon

There was to be no shock result on Centre Court as Aryna Sabalenka got the better of Marie Bouzkova in straight sets, despite a combative performance from the latter, who was particularly impressive in the first set. Sabalenka was more convincing in the second set, powering through to the third round as the top seed looks to win Wimbledon for the first time.

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Aryna Sabalenka said it was "very sad" to see several top seeds exit prematurely at Wimbledon, after she beat Marie Bouzkova 7-6(4) 6-4 to progress to the third round.

The world No. 1 found herself 5-6 down in the first set against her impressive Czech opponent, who competed well on Centre Court.

But Sabalenka battled through and proved too strong in the end, advancing to face either Emma Raducanu or Marketa Vondrousova.

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On Tuesday, Coco Gauff was stunned by Ukraine world number 42 Dayana Yastremska, while fellow top-five seeds Jessica Pegula and Zheng Qinwen were also eliminated.

"Honestly, it's very sad to see so many top players lose in the first round. But you've got to focus on yourself," Sabalenka said in her on-court interview.

"Of course, you're going to know the overall picture, but you have to take it one step at a time. I hope it is no upsets anymore in this tournament, if you know what I mean!"

Sabalenka started aggressively on serve and, despite an errant smash and double fault, held to take the first game of the match.

Bouzkova, in response, went 40-0 ahead in her first service game, but an excellent drop shot from Sabalenka and an error from the Czech allowed the world No. 1 back into the game, and she brought it to deuce with an emphatic smash.

But Bouzkova held, and so too did Sabalenka to lead 2-1 at the change of ends.

There was a moment of concern for Sabalenka in Bouzkova's second service game, when she slipped awkwardly, having been wrong-footed by a shot. But she was quickly on her feet and unhurt.

Sabalenka continued to hold her serve comfortably, and there were signs that she was beginning to make ground on Bouzkova's serve. A superb return and a powerful forehand took her to 30-30, but Bouzkova got over the line again to make it 3-3.

Again, the three-time Grand Slam winner came from 40-0 to deuce on Bouzkova's serve, demonstrating her power from the baseline. But again, an impressive high backhand volley and an accurate serve saw Bouzkova avoid any threat of a break.

Sabalenka breezed through another service game to lead 5-4, forcing Bouzkova to serve to stay in the set. And that she did, despite more pressure from her increasingly frustrated opponent, who cried out in anguish after losing out following deuce once more.

At 5-5, Sabalenka wobbled on her serve for the first time, falling 15-40 down, and it was Bouzkova, growing in confidence, who had the first break points of the match. The pressure told on Sabalenka, whose double fault handed Bouzkova the break at a crucial point.

Determined to hit back immediately, Sabalenka produced a delicate drop shot and a strong backhand to reach 30-40 and earn her first break point. But she missed a decisive backhand, screaming with frustration, and it was deuce yet again.

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This time, though, there was no stopping Sabalenka, who broke straight back with a brutal shot down the line.

It was a tie-break to decide an enthralling, hard-fought first set, and it went Sabalenka's way, despite a valiant effort from Bouzkova.

"That was a tough moment of the match [going a break down late in the first set]. I was just trying to put the ball back on that side and hope I could break back. Until that point, my serve wasn't good enough to break," Sabalenka said.

"But I was able to break and I felt a little bit better at that moment, which is why I think I was able to win the tie-break and win in straight sets."

The underdog was not deterred and won her first service game of the second set comfortably. Sabalenka responded in turn, though she was pushed by her determined opponent.

Both players were producing some spectacular tennis: the ferocity and precision of Sabalenka and the consistency and resolve of Bouzkova.

The latter faltered in her third service game of the second set, though, forced onto the back foot by an aggressive Sabalenka, who found herself with three break points. The first was saved, but an error from Bouzkova gave Sabalenka the break.

By this point, the top seed had begun to go through the gears, racing through her service game to lead 4-2.

Bouzkova responded well, holding with some clever shots to remind everyone she was not down and out yet.

But Sabalenka was imperious on serve again, moving to 5-3 and asking Bouzkova to serve to stay in the match. She did, but it was a temporary reprieve.

Sabalenka's serves were too good for Bouzkova, who finally succumbed after an impressive display against the tournament favourite.

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