Aryna Sabalenka opponent is a professional model and funded tennis career with photoshoots

Aryna Sabalenka goes into Wimbledon as the favourite after reaching the first two Grand Slam finals of the year. And she will face Canadian model Carson Branstine in her opening match at the All England Club.

Sabalenka pulled out of last year's edition of Wimbledon with a shoulder injury just hours before she was due to take on Emina Bektas in the first round. But the 27-year-old has impressed at SW19 in the past and has reached the semi-finals in her last two appearances. She will be hungrier than ever to win the title after suffering a shock defeat to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final in January, before losing to Coco Gauff in the showpiece match at the French Open in June.

Sabalenka will be expected to sail through her opening match against Branstine this time around, with her opponent ranked at No. 194 in the world.

Branstine, who is signed with two modelling agencies, has never qualified for a Grand Slam in her career but did win the junior doubles at the Australian Open and French Open in 2017.

She booked her place in the main draw at this year's Wimbledon after stunning French Open semi-finalist Lois Boisson in qualifying.

To be the first to receive the latest Wimbledon news, join our WhatsApp community or Wimbledon newsletter

And ahead of the London Grand Slam, Branstine explained how her modelling work has helped her fund her tennis endeavours.

"I love being in front of a camera during a photoshoot," Branstine told CLAY. "It's fun - I love fashion. It has been one of the reasons why I have been able to afford some trips. I didn't want to ask my parents for anything, I wanted everything to come from me and my tennis.

"I didn't sign for these agencies because of my tennis, I did it because of my physical appearance. Strangely enough, modelling and tennis have a lot of similarities - a lot of times you're an object, and people don't always realise you're a person too."

Turning her attention to Wimbledon, she added: "We're not in Paris anymore, we're playing on grass now, so it's a completely different sport.

"I have a lot of confidence in myself, and maybe not everyone knows me, but I think I can beat anyone.

"I am convinced that I have the game to measure myself against anyone and I am happy to be able to show it at this time."

She then explained: "I would say that I am one of the best athletes on the circuit. I'm confident in that - I run fast, lift a lot of weight and I'm quite agile for how tall I am."