Naomi Osaka delivered a stunning performance on Centre Court, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The Japanese 14th seed, wearing a striking outfit inspired by Japanese ceremonial dress and Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, overwhelmed the Belarusian with aggressive tennis, hitting 21 winners to Sabalenka's 15 and serving eight aces against the biggest server in the women's game.
It was Sabalenka's first straight-sets loss at a Grand Slam since the 2020 US Open, and she admitted feeling overpowered. “She overpowered me. I felt like it was an incredible level from her. With every game we would play, I would feel worse, she would feel better,” Sabalenka said. Asked about her emotions, she added: “No emotions. I fucked it up this year. Next year I’ll try to do better.”
Osaka's Grass-Court Breakthrough
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who last won a major at the 2021 Australian Open, had never advanced beyond the third round at Wimbledon before this year. After giving birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023, she was outside the world's top 50 a year ago. Now, she appears to have solved the riddle of grass-court tennis. “It has been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court, so to do it here means a lot,” Osaka said. “Going into this match, I had lost to Aryna three times in a row, which really sucked. I wanted to turn it over and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to do that.”
Osaka credited her team, including coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, for her improved form. “The big Polish man! Shout out Tomasz. Also a shout out to the rest of my team, they are the best team ever,” she said.
Sabalenka's Frustration Boils Over
Sabalenka struggled from the start, losing the first five points but breaking back briefly before Osaka took control. After failing to convert two break-back points at 1-3 down in the first set, Sabalenka sent a forehand into the net and let out a prolonged scream that amused the Centre Court crowd. She was broken again to go 4-1 down and lost the first set in 30 minutes. “First points of the match, I was struggling a little bit. I was trying to change my racquet, adjust my swings. I honestly tried everything I could today. Just seems like it wasn’t my day at all,” she said.
In the second set, Sabalenka forced a tie-break, her 21st consecutive tie-break at Grand Slams, but Osaka proved dominant, serving an ace to go 2-1 up and capitalizing on two Sabalenka forehand errors. Sabalenka ended the match by smashing a ball out of Centre Court. “I just want to go and get completely drunk, forget about tennis, and try to get in better shape,” she said.
Quarter-Final Clash with Muchova
Osaka will face 10th seed Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals, a match that could propel her toward a first Wimbledon title. “My mum is over there, she cooks a lot and I feel like her cooking is powering me so I would really appreciate another meal tonight. She cooks a bunch of Japanese food, so shout out Japanese food,” Osaka said.
