Naomi Osaka produced a stunning performance to knock out women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round of Wimbledon, winning 6-2 7-6 (7-2) on Centre Court. The Japanese four-time grand slam champion dominated from the start, leaving Sabalenka frustrated and error-prone.
Osaka's Dominant Start
The first set lasted just 32 minutes, with Osaka breaking Sabalenka’s serve twice. Sabalenka, known for her powerful game, struggled with unforced errors and was seen screaming in frustration. Osaka’s flat groundstrokes and pace proved too much for the Belarusian, especially on the warmest day of the tournament so far.
Sabalenka's Misfiring Game
Sabalenka, who had beaten Osaka in all three previous meetings this year including at the French Open, was well below her best. She had been seen as a strong contender after defending champion Iga Swiatek and second seed Elena Rybakina were eliminated on Saturday. However, she failed to capitalise on the opportunity. “Now I want to go and get drunk and forget about tennis,” Sabalenka said at her press conference.
Osaka's Joy After Maternity Break
Osaka, who returned to the Tour in 2023 after giving birth, expressed her delight. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court,” she said. “And to do it here, it really means a lot.” The win is her biggest since her comeback.
Next Challenge: Muchova
Osaka will face tenth seed Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals. Muchova earlier defeated 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. Krejcikova was the last remaining former champion in the draw after Serena Williams, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek had already exited.
