A brilliant backhand winner sealed the match, and Naomi Osaka broke into a relieved smile as Aryna Sabalenka could only flap her racquet into the net. The four-time major winner had just dismantled the world No1 and tournament favourite 6-2, 7-6 (2) on Centre Court, propelling herself into the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.
Osaka arrived at Wimbledon on an excellent run on grass, but her elaborate, creative on-court outfits had garnered more attention than her tennis in the first week. She conceded as much later: “Ironically I kind of want to focus on my tennis now, so I might dial back a little bit.” That focus was evident as she commanded control from the outset, racing through the opening set in a shade over half an hour before holding her nerve in an excellent tiebreak. Her victory was made all the more impressive by the fact she did it with little fuss against an opponent who holds the record for consecutive grand slam breakers won, 21.
“Naomi Osaka dismantled world No1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals for first time.”
Osaka had lost to Sabalenka three times this year and won just one set across those meetings. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court and to do it here, it really means a lot,” Osaka said. “Going into this match I lost to her three times in a row so that really sucked, I wanted to turn it over and I’m really glad to have the opportunity to do that.”
Sabalenka, who had earlier stunned the crowd with her kimono-inspired walk-on dress, admitted she was overpowered. “She overpowered me. I felt like it was an incredible level from her,” Sabalenka said. “Sometimes you can go out there and do everything you can and still lose the match.” The two types of losses “both suck”, she added.
For the Belarusian, this is her earliest exit at a grand slam since Roland-Garros four years ago, and her first in straight sets since the US Open in 2020 — which, coincidentally, Osaka went on to win. With the draw now blown wide open, a repeat feels a very real possibility.