Aryna Sabalenka was just two points from dropping the opening set of her second-round Wimbledon match three times on Wednesday before asserting herself for a 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Marie Bouzkova to avoid the sort of surprise that has sent a group of seeded players home.

The top-seeded women’s player and the two-time defending men’s champ win in straight sets as a record-tying 23 seeded players were bounced by the end of Day 2.

Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and the end of London's tropical heatwave ensured that a sense of normality returned to the lawns of Wimbledon on Wednesday after two sweat-soaked days of shocks, although Jasmine Paolini's exit meant the surprises did not end.