Wimbledon 2025 saw a return to form for top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka as both stars advanced confidently into the next round, helping restore calm after an opening week filled with surprise upsets and sweltering heat.
Second seed Alcaraz stepped onto Centre Court under cooler skies on Wednesday determined to stay clear of the early shock defeats that claimed big names like Coco Gauff Jessica Pegula Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev in the first round. The Spaniard faced Britain’s Oliver Tarvet a college player ranked 733rd in the world and despite a tense start where he saved three break points Alcaraz hit his stride to secure a convincing 6-1 6-4 6-4 win as he eyes a second straight French Open-Wimbledon double.
Earlier in the day Sabalenka the women’s top seed overcame a spirited challenge from Czech player Marie Bouzkova with a hard-fought 7-6 6-4 victory. Sabalenka who is chasing her first Wimbledon crown admitted that the string of early exits across both the men’s and women’s draws has been unsettling but said she remains focused only on her own matches.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys also advanced with a solid 6-4 6-2 win over Olga Danilovic while Naomi Osaka showed flashes of her best as she breezed past Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-2 to book her place in the third round.
Despite London’s heatwave coming to an end and cooler conditions setting in the surprises didn’t stop completely. American world number 12 Frances Tiafoe was knocked out by Britain’s Cameron Norrie who thrilled the local fans with a 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-5 victory. Sonay Kartal added to the British cheer with a dominant 6-2 6-2 win over Viktoriya Tomova securing her place in the last 32 for the second year running.
However there was disappointment for Britain’s Katie Boulter whose 14 double faults proved costly in a 6-7 6-2 6-1 defeat to Argentina’s Solana Sierra a lucky loser who has made the most of her opportunity.
Emerging talent also grabbed the spotlight as Brazil’s Joao Fonseca showed why he’s touted as a future rival for the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner. The 18-year-old produced a composed 6-2 5-7 6-2 6-4 win over Jenson Brooksby on Court 12 cheered on by a lively group of Brazilian fans.
After two days of unpredictable results Wimbledon’s biggest contenders look to build momentum heading into the business end of the tournament — with the British charge still very much alive and stars like Alcaraz and Sabalenka firmly in the mix.
