It is worth reminding ourselves occasionally that most players perform better when they are doing their job with a smile on their face. The Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka has found life difficult off the court lately, fielding more questions about the war in Ukraine than her tennis, but on Tuesday she looked happy and confident as she eased into the second round.
The No 2 seed dismissed the challenge of the world No 82, Panna Udvardy of Hungary, in just over an hour with eight aces, 27 winners and even a tweener, treating the crowd to her power and athleticism on her return to Wimbledon after missing the event last year because of the ban on Russians and Belarusians competing.
