Aryna Sabalenka vs Carson Branstine

WTA Wimbledon – 1st Round
Aryna Sabalenka vs Carson Branstine

🧠 Form & Context

• Aryna Sabalenka
  👑 World No.1 with a 42–8 record in 2025. Titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid.
  🔥 Slam powerhouse: Finalist at both AO and RG this season.
  💥 Grass-ready: Wimbledon semifinalist in 2021 and 2023; missed 2024 due to injury.
  🧊 Slam starter streak: 18–0 in first-round Slam matches since 2020.


• Carson Branstine
  🎓 Former junior Grand Slam champion and Texas A&M standout.
  📈 Rapid comeback: From outside Top 900 to Top 200 in 12 months.
  ⚡ Grass confidence: Beat Samsonova in Rosmalen and qualified with three gritty three-set wins.
  🌱 First Wimbledon main draw & first career Top 10 opponent.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Branstine enters on emotion, grit, and strong qualifying form, but Sabalenka is a brick wall in Slam openers. Her grass pedigree, brutal first-strike power, and 2025 consistency make her one of the outright title contenders—and a nightmare for any R1 opponent.

The Canadian will look to attack early and shorten rallies, but the power differential will be obvious from the first few exchanges. If Branstine can land over 65% of her first serves and avoid long return games, she might stay competitive early. However, Aryna’s returning pressure and break acceleration tend to crush rising players quickly on this stage.

Branstine has a great future, but this is a steep learning curve against arguably the most complete player on grass in the current WTA field.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Sabalenka in 2 sets – dominant opener, under 18.5 total games likely unless Branstine pulls off something extraordinary on serve.

Betting angle: Sabalenka –5.5 games or Under 17.5 games. Branstine’s grass results are impressive, but this is a different level entirely.