Naomi Osaka knocks out world number one Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon

Naomi Osaka delivered a stunning upset at Wimbledon, eliminating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a decisive 6-2, 7-6 (2) victory to advance to the quarterfinals. This marks Osaka's most successful performance to date at the All England Club. The win also breaks a negative streak against Sabalenka, who had defeated the Japanese player in their five previous encounters, including three times this season.

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, faltered again in London, a tournament where she has never reached the final. Her best showing remains three semifinal appearances. While Sabalenka retains her world number one ranking, her defeat contributes to a Wimbledon marked by the early exits of top contenders, including Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek.

Osaka, achieving her first top-10 win of 2026 and her third career victory against a world number one, credited her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski for the turnaround. "He has been the great Polish man who has made the change. I praise Tomasz and my team. My team is the best team of all time. I have so much fun with them. I learn so much. I am so grateful that they are on this journey with me," she said on court.

Osaka will next face Czech player Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals, who defeated her compatriot Barbora Krejcikova.

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He has been the great Polish man who has made the change. I praise Tomasz and my team. My team is the best team of all time. I have so much fun with them. I learn so much. I am so grateful that they are on this journey with me.