World No. 1 Sabalenka Upset by Osaka at Wimbledon, Exiting in Round of 16

In a major Wimbledon upset on July 5, 2026, world number one Aryna Sabalenka was defeated by Naomi Osaka 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the round of 16. Sabalenka, who arrived at Wimbledon aiming to improve her poor grass-court record, continues to seek her first title on the London grass despite four Grand Slam wins overall. Her early exit is one of the tournament's biggest surprises, especially after the eliminations of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, which had positioned Sabalenka as a leading contender for the championship.

For Osaka, the victory marks a career highlight as she advances to her first Wimbledon quarterfinal. Having previously lost three times to the top-ranked player, this win signals a significant comeback following her return to the tour after injuries and a career break due to the birth of her daughter. Osaka's improved performance on grass courts, traditionally not her favored surface, suggests she will be a strong competitor moving forward.

In other women's matches, Jessica Pegula, ranked fourth, secured the first quarterfinal spot with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win over Iva Jovic (16th seed). Caroline Muchova (9th seed) also advanced by defeating local favorite Barbora Krejcikova (38th seed) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3. These results set the stage for an exciting final phase in the women's singles draw at Wimbledon.