Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 6-4, 6-4, in the third round of Wimbledon.
The top seed navigated her way past a tricky opponent to secure her place in the last 16.
Sabalenka has now reached the fourth round of 15 consecutive Grand Slam events.
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However, during the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, Eugenie Bouchard noticed something unusual about Sabalenka’s behaviour in her latest match.
Eugenie Bouchard thought it was strange that Aryna Sabalenka wasn’t being ‘overly positive’ in the third round
“She looked so solid, mentally as well. Her shots were working, and she was able to keep the consistency of her power shots more than [Jelena] Ostapenko,” said Bouchard.
“She didn’t get down on herself when Ostapenko did hit a few winners, but at the same time, not even being that overly positive, which is something we don’t see that much from [Aryna] Sabalenka.”
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jelena Ostapenko – Match stats
| Stats | Aryna Sabalenka | Jelena Ostapenko |
| Aces | 9 | 4 |
| Double faults | 2 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 66% | 57% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 71% | 63% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 56% | 54% |
| Break points | 4/11 | 2/4 |
Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup captain, Anne Keothavong, agreed with Bouchard.
“It was not her usual feisty kind of performance,” she said.
“It was a very good performance, though, one she was in total control of.”
Sabalenka, who has a tiger tattooed on her arm, didn’t let the ‘tiger’ out against Ostapenko.
But the good news for the world number one is that she didn’t need to, securing the win in straight sets anyway.
The Belarusian was pleased with her performance, exacting revenge on Ostapenko after what happened in their last encounter.
“She is really dangerous,” said Sabalenka during her on-court interview.
“Last match I played against her, I could not do anything. She just smashed me off the court.
Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko’s head-to-head record (4-1)
- 2026 Wimbledon 4R – Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 6-4, 6-4
- 2025 Stuttgart F – Jelena Ostapenko defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 6-1
- 2024 Rome QF – Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 6-2, 6-4
- 2023 Dubai 3R – Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
- 2019 Zhengzhou 2R – Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 6-1, 6-2
“I am really happy I was able to get this win, especially in straight sets. I am happy with the performance and the level.”
Sabalenka admitted she was particularly wary of Ostapenko’s power.
“That’s scary! That is really scary,” she said.
“It can go either way, so I am happy today was my day.”
Sabalenka was then asked what her ‘mission’ is on grass courts.
“To do a bit better than I usually do,” she said.
“The plan is to get better every day and bring a bit better level every time I am competing on this beautiful grass in front of you all right now.”
She also shared her thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s documentary series and thanked the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
“It’s such an inspiration,” said Sabalenka.
“I watched and had goosebumps throughout the whole series.
“There are so many things you can take from Nadal. One of the best lines he said is that the only thing you can control is your focus and motivation.
“It’s been in my head ever since, and it’s really helped me to stay focused and motivated. I don’t know if he’s watching, but thanks for your series, it’s an inspiration.”
Nadal won Wimbledon twice during his career, in 2008 and 2010.
Looking to win her first title at the All England Club, Sabalenka might need to draw upon the spirit of Nadal over the next week or so.
Aryna Sabalenka will play Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of Wimbledon
Before wrapping up her on-court interview, Sabalenka looked ahead to her fourth-round match against Naomi Osaka.
“Another aggressive player, another very powerful match,” she said.
“I am ready to bring the fight on, and I’m ready to fight and do anything it takes to get through.”
Sabalenka and Osaka have already met three times in the fourth rounds of tournaments this year.
The Belarusian has won all three matches, which should give her the confidence she needs to book her place in the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, you could argue that Osaka will be more determined than ever to pick up the win, and knows exactly what not to do against the world number one.
Whoever you’re backing, you won’t want to miss their fourth WTA Tour encounter of the year.
Sabalenka and Osaka will battle it out for a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Sunday, July 5.
