Aryna Sabalenka resists McCartney Kessler’s fight back to reach the third round with a straight-sets win at Wimbledon 2026

Aryna Sabalenka was forced to dig deep as she edged into the third round at the expense of McCartney Kessler.

The world number one produced some excellent work at the net to back up her trademark power from the baseline before leaning on her champion mentality to claim a 6-1 7-6 victory in one hour and 39 minutes.

Sabalenka quickly found her groove on No.1 Court and broke twice before serving out the opener in 32 minutes.

World number 57 Kessler had been hugely competitive despite the one-sided scoreline and she got her reward in the second stanza as she broke and moved into a 5-2 lead.

The American earned two set points at 5-3 but Sabalenka resisted to break back and force a tie-break.

The top seed was made to battle and fended off more set points before finally taking the breaker 11-9, clinching victory on her third match point.

Sabalenka has won the most consecutive Singles Grand Slam tie-breaks in the Open Era (21), extending her streak - the second-longest was made by Novak Djokovic between 2005 and 2007 (19).

Only Martina Navratilova (143) has played more consecutive Women's Singles Grand Slam matches than Aryna Sabalenka (120) with at least one set won in the Open Era.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! - SABALENKA 6-1 7-6 KESSLER

The world number one finally prevails on her third match point!

Kessler battled so hard throughout and almost forced a decider, but in the end Aryna came up trumps to take the breaker 11-9 and prevail in one hour and 39 minutes.

Sabalenka will now meet Jelena Ostapenko in R3.

On we go!

Sabalenka has a second match point on her serve but can't get it done and we will have another change of ends.

The No.1 Court crowd are desperate to see a third set here...

That's great spirit from Kessler.

The world number 57 unleashes a huge cross-court forehand to force another change of ends and swat away match point.

The Belarusian earns an instant mini break but sees a 2-0 lead evaporate as McCartney takes three points in a row.

The American pushes for the lead at the change of ends but strains a forehand into the net on the run and it remains finely poised.

Sabalenka keeps McCartney at arm’s length as she sizzles away a crosscourt backhand to clinch a game to 30 and force the breaker.

Kessler puts aside the disappointment of failing to see out the set and stops the mini rot with a hold to 15.

All square!

Sabalenka consolidates with a hold to 15 to keep alive her hopes of finishing this in two.

Kessler responds to the roar of Sabalenka at 15-30 with a crisp winner off each flank to clock up set point.

Sabalenka resists as the American’s second serve is given the treatment and it’s déjà vu on the second set point too.

The Belarusian pushes her opponent from side to side on the following point and corks a sensational backhand winner down the line to snare break point.

The four-time Major winner doesn’t miss her opportunity either as a deep, crosscourt return licks the back edge of the baseline and provides her with the break back and a lifeline.

The level of tennis right now is a joy to behold.

Both players are hitting clean with real pace and depth.

Kessler presses to deuce but can’t get under Sabalenka’s skin as the Belarusian bats away a volley at the net before the serve poses the serve-out question.

Sabalenka digs her heels in on the return, bellowing a trademark ‘let’s go’ as she rifles a blistering forehand winner.

The Belarusian presses to deuce where Kessler has countless game points before finally consolidating when a blocked return floats long.

Take a bow, McCartney Kessler!

The American has been so determined throughout and is finally getting some reward for her excellent tennis on the board.

Sabalenka dips badly on serve with a double fault helping the world number 57 secure two break points.

The top seed can’t re-focus and a miscued backhand swings wide to allow the underdog to seize the momentum in Set 2!

The crowd on No.1 Court purr with delight as Kessler claws back a succession of brutal strikes from her opponent before unleashing a spectacular stretched-forehand pass on the run down the line.

It’s the pick of the American’s points and lays the platform for a superb love hold.

Sabalenka remains fully focused as she throws in a serve and volley routine of her own to seal the hold to 15.

Kessler will feel the 6-1 scoreline in the opening set was harsh and she’s continued to play some fine tennis here.

The American likes to serve and volley and deploys it to great effect here as she powers through a love hold to stay on front early in the second.

Sabalenka takes her frustration out on the ball with a pair of huge serves from deuce after flittering away a commanding 40-15 lead.

McCartney returns from a comfort break between sets and hopes that Sabalenka has cooled off from red-lining tennis that saw her gobble down a breadstick in the opener.

The Belarusian presses to 30-30 but thrashes a forehand into the alley going for another winner and Kessler skips clear from there to kick off Set 2 on a positive note.

It’s a bit of a rollercoaster as Aryna hits back from 0-30, coughs up break point with a poor forehand into the net - but swats it away with an ace.

The top seed resets at deuce and serves out a 32-minute opener on her second set point courtesy of a sublime, angled volley.

Sabalenka has really found her groove here.

The world number one scorches a magnificent crosscourt forehand winner and then earsn two break points with a huge backhand right to Kessler’s feet that forces an awkward error.

It tees up two break points for the Belarusian, but she only needs one as a lovely drop shot allows her to cut off the pick-up with a delightful crosscourt volley.