Katie Boulter out of Wimbledon after epic tussle with Aryna Sabalenka

Briton finally defeated after gripping two hours on Centre Court
Second seed takes control in final moments to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

The raw power of Aryna Sabalenka eventually overwhelmed Katie Boulter’s guile and resilience but only after more than two hours of ebb and flow as what had looked like a mismatch on paper proved to be anything but on the grass of Wimbledon.

There were 215 rungs of the ratings ladder between Sabalenka, the world No 4, and her British opponent at the start of the week, yet it was only in the last few points, as the No 2 seed broke Boulter’s serve to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, that there was any sense of the Belarusian taking full control. That game followed a hold of serve by the seed that could easily have been yet another turning point, but ultimately proved to be the moment when Sabalenka’s strength won out.