Naomi Osaka produced an outstanding performance to beat top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2) and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.
The 14th seed dominated much of the match on Centre Court, ending Sabalenka’s hopes of winning the title.
Osaka made the stronger start, breaking Sabalenka’s serve twice to take the opening set in just 32 minutes. The Belarusian struggled to find her rhythm and showed her frustration throughout the set.
Sabalenka improved in the second set, but Osaka stayed calm and won the tie-break to complete a straight-sets victory. She also ended Sabalenka’s run of 21 consecutive Grand Slam tie-break wins.
It is Osaka’s biggest victory since returning to the WTA Tour in 2024 after the birth of her daughter, Shai.
“I think it was a really fun match,” Osaka said. “Even if I had lost, I would still have thought it was a great match. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed myself so much on court.”
Click HERE to learn more. (18+)
The result also means the top three women’s seeds have all been knocked out of Wimbledon after the earlier exits of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka admitted she was disappointed by her performance.
“Now I want to go and get drunk and forget about tennis,” she said after the match.
Osaka will now face 10th seed Karolina Muchova for a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
