Second seed Sabalenka first winner at Wimbledon in two years

Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 28, 2021 Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning her first round match against Romania’s Monica Niculescu REUTERS/Toby Melville

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won the first match at Wimbledon in two years on Monday, seeing off Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu in straight sets.

Sabalenka won 6-1, 6-4 under the roof of Court One and will face either Danielle Lao of the United States or Britain’s Katie Boulter for a place in the last 32.

Last year’s Wimbledon was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic while play at this year’s event was delayed by rain on the outside courts.

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