01 Jul 2026, 12:07
Serena Williams beats former idol John in straight sets in Wimbledon
- Williams defeated John 3-6, 7-6(6), 3-6 in straight sets in the first match at Wimbledon
- Williams served 121 mph in her ace, but the key moment came when she broke his serve
- Sabalenka was forced to retire against Wimbledon after a streak of games 6-2, 6-3
On Centre Court, Serena Williams prevailed in her opening match in straight sets. The 20-year-old match winner beat John in straight sets 3-6, 7-6(6), 3-6.
The match lasted two hours and 22 minutes. In her words, John did not manage to find the right rhythm, and that is exactly what Williams capitalized on.
In the match, Williams demonstrated her dominance from the very first games, with a serve of 121 mph. The opponent’s most effective moment came on her serve, but John, having won the next set, was unable to turn the tide, and Williams secured victory.
In the next set, the break proved decisive: Williams won the first game, and then held on to take a 5-4 lead. In the tie-break, John made a mistake, and Williams, without allowing a comeback, sealed the win.
Earlier, in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, Sabalenka had been unable to match Williams’ pace and was left behind in the psychological battle. Meanwhile, Arina Sabalenka described the match as a turning point in her game.
In the new season, Sabalenka has been playing with even more confidence, and at Centre Court Wimbledon’s champion Teodora Kostovich won 6-2, 6-3 in 65 minutes. The decisive match was followed by Mackartrni Kessler, who was already waiting in the next round.
Tags: Sport/Tennis