Wimbledon 2025: Seeds continue to fall as Paolini stunned by Rakhimova

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Jasmine Paolini became the ninth top-10 seed across the men's and women's draw to suffer an early exit at Wimbledon after she was beaten by Kamilla Rakhimova.

Paolini, who was a finalist at the All England Club 12 months ago, was no match for Rakhimova, who produced a stunning display to win 4-6 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday (July 2).

Only one top-five-seeded player, Aryna Sabalenka, will feature in the round of 32 in a women's singles grand slam event for the second time in the Open Era, after Wimbledon 2018.

The Italian appeared on course for the next round after taking the opening set, but her Russian opponent roared back in the second to take the match the distance.

And it was Rakhimova who edged the decider, with a break in the opening game of the third set proving decisive as she remained strong on serve.

Rakhimova squandered three match points as Paolini fought her way back, but she followed up a powerful serve with a volley at the net to clinch a huge victory.

Paolini has now failed to make the quarter-finals in each of her last four grand slam appearances. Rakhimova, meanwhile, will face Linda Noskova next.

There was no such trouble for Naomi Osaka, however, who booked her place in the third round in SW19 for the first time since 2018 with a win over Katerina Siniakova.

Osaka, who equalled her best run at Wimbledon with her triumph, will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the next round after sealing a 6-3 6-2 victory.

The former world number one has now won back-to-back matches for the first time since she saw an eight-match clay-court winning streak ended by Peyton Stearns in May.