A resurgent Naomi Osaka stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a brilliant performance to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.
Japan’s Osaka out-served, out-hit and out-thought her fellow four-time Grand Slam champion to win 6-2 7-6 (7-2) on Centre Court.
This is Sabalenka’s earliest exit at a Grand Slam since the 2022 French Open, and the first time she has exited one in straight sets for 122 matches.
But she fell to an inspired performance by Osaka, who held her racquet to her head in disbelief after clinching victory on her second match point.
It is a first Wimbledon last-eight appearance for Osaka, who also reached the second week of the French Open for the first time last month.
“It’s been a long time since I had so much fun on the court,” said Osaka.
“To do it here means a lot.”
This was the fourth time in three months that the two big-hitters had met, with Sabalenka winning the previous three encounters.
This time Osaka was dominant throughout, matching Sabalenka pace-for-pace and moving well around the court.
Sabalenka made a hasty exit afterwards as her search for a first Grand Slam of the year continues.
Osaka will go on to face Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova for a place in the semi-finals.
Muchova’s victory over 2024 champion Barbora Krejcikova means there will be a different women’s singles champion for the 10th tournament in a row.
