Gauff, Sabalenka resume rivalry

THE Wimbledon women’s throne has turned into tennis’ version of musical chairs with new champions in the last seven years and all signs point to another one as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff resume their rivalry on the pristine lawns of London.

The All England Club has not crowned a repeat champion since 2016 when Serena Williams captured the 22nd of her 23 Grand Slam trophies and the chances of injury-hit holder Barbora Krejcikova rediscovering her miraculous level from 12 months ago are slim.

Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova, whose names precede Krejcikova on the iconic honours board, remain dangerous players on the sport’s fastest surface but all eyes will be on the women who contested an error-strewn, but enthralling French Open final.

Gauff prevailed in this month’s Roland Garros clash against Belarusian Sabalenka and the 21-year-old will head to the venue of her breakthrough as a teenager in 2019 eager to finally conquer grass after claycourt and hardcourt success.

Gauff did not enjoy a good start to the grass swing after suffering a stunning second-round loss to Wang Xinyu in Berlin, but former Wimbledon quarter-finalist CoCo Vandeweghe said the two-time major champion will learn from the experience.

“I don’t think this shakes her confidence,” Vandeweghe told the Tennis Channel.

Sabalenka, who was beaten by Gauff in another long final at the US Open two years ago, will also have a point to prove in London with the three-time major winner looking to make up for lost time after missing last year’s Wimbledon with injury. – Reuters.