Naomi Osaka stunned Aryna Sabalenka to advance at Wimbledon on Sunday evening.
Osaka, a four-time major champion, defeated the world number one 6-2, 7-6 on Centre Court.
Prior to Sunday’s contest, Osaka had lost three consecutive matches this year to the Belarusian.
How many Grand Slams will Aryna Sabalenka win this year?
She looks unstoppable right now!
“This is the best I’ve seen her since she’s come back from maternity leave,” Tracy Austin commented shortly before Osaka’s victory.
Osaka was understandably happy after defeating the four-time major winner, and she expressed her joy while speaking to the BBC’s Annabel Croft.
Naomi Osaka reacts to defeating Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon
“I think it was a really fun match. I am really grateful. Even if I lost I would still think it was a great match,” the Japanese superstar said.
“This court is so special. This is the first match I have won on this court. It just means a lot. Thank you guys so much, I really appreciated the atmosphere.
“I was saying that she cooked her a lot, and I was saying her cooking feels like it’s powering me. So Mum I would like another meal tonight!”
When asked how she tries to keep her mother calm, Osaka added: “That’s the job of everyone in the box, I am just focusing on what is happening here.
“But it’s been a long time since I had so much fun on the court and to do it here really means a lot.
“Going into this match I lost to her like three times in a row. That really sucked. I wanted to turn it over and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to do that.”
Naomi Osaka vs Aryna Sabalenka
- 2018 US Open: Osaka defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 en route to the title
- 2026 Indian Wells: Sabalenka defeated Osaka 6-2, 6-4 en route to the title
- 2026 Madrid: Sabalenka defeated Osaka 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 16
- 2026 Roland Garros: Sabalenka defeated Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round
- 2026 Wimbledon: Osaka defeated Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 in the fourth round
Osaka has historically struggled on grass courts. Before this year, Osaka had failed to advance past the third round at Wimbledon in five attempts.
However, under the guidance of coach Tomasz Witkowski, Osaka is producing her best-ever grass-court play.
Witkowski’s influence was noted by Osaka when the Japanese was asked about her improved form on the surface.
“Shout out, Tomasz! Shout out my team,” Osaka exclaimed. “My team is the best team ever, I have so much fun with them.
“I learn so much and I’m so grateful they are on this journey with me.”
Osaka will play 10th seed Karolina Muchová in the next round.
Muchova, who has won three WTA Tour events this year, defeated 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova earlier on Sunday.
Naomi Osaka ends Aryna Sabalenka’s tiebreak streak
Over the past few years, Aryna Sabalenka has made a name for herself as one of the best players at navigating their way through tiebreaks.
Before Sunday’s contest, Sabalenka had won 21 consecutive tiebreaks at Grand Slam events.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
As per statisticians OptaAce, Sabalenka lost her first Grand Slam tie break since the French Open 2023, interrupting the longest winning streak in tiebreaks in the Open Era – including men’s singles events.
Prior to Sunday’s defeat, the last time Sabalenka lost a tiebreak at a Grand Slam was against Karolina Muchová at the 2023 French Open.
Muchova won the semi-final contest 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, before losing to top seed Iga Swiatek in the final.
