Naomi Osaka Beats World No. 1 Sabalenka to Reach First Wimbledon Quarterfinal

LONDON (AP) — Two of women's tennis's biggest power hitters met on Sunday, and Naomi Osaka came out on top. The Japanese star defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2) to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in her career.

Sabalenka had won all three of their meetings earlier this year, including a defeat of Osaka at the same stage of the French Open last month. She also prevailed over Osaka at Indian Wells, California, and in Madrid.

On the warmest day of the tournament so far, Osaka's speed and flat groundstrokes proved too much for the Belarusian. The heat appeared to help her shots carry through the air with extra pace. Temperatures during the contest climbed to 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit).

"She overpowered me," Sabalenka said. "I felt like it was an incredible level from her."

Osaka said the earlier losses had been difficult to take. "That really sucked," she said. "So I wanted to like turn it over, and I'm really glad I had the opportunity to do that."

After the final point, Osaka pumped her fist, smiled briefly, then lifted her racket above her head and spun around to mark her first career victory on Centre Court.

"It's been a long time since I've had so much fun on the court," Osaka said. "And to do it here, it really means a lot."

The result was Osaka's first win over a top-ranked player since she beat Ash Barty in Beijing in 2019. Osaka, a former world No. 1, stepped away from the tour in 2021 to address her mental health and later took maternity leave, missing the entire 2023 season.