Osaka beats world number one Sabalenka in Wimbledon last 16 / Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV - AFP
Osaka beats world number one Sabalenka in Wimbledon last 16
Naomi Osaka stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) victory on Sunday as the Japanese star moved into the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.
Osaka avenged a straight-sets defeat against Sabalenka in the French Open last 16 in June by eliminating her fellow four-time Grand Slam champion with a superb display on Centre Court.
It is five years since Osaka lifted her most recent Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open.
Revitalised by coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who mentored Iga Swiatek, the 28-year-old reached the semi-finals of the US Open last year and has carried that momentum into 2026.
Osaka is yet to drop a set across her opening four matches at Wimbledon.
Seeded 14th, she is finally finding her groove on grass, helped by the eye-catching outfits she arrives on court wearing.
Her walk-on costumes have included a kimono, a bomber jacket with a long train and a cloak that looks like an open kimono.
The 28-year-old believes all the talk about her haute couture has taken the pressure of her tennis.
Once again she treated fans to a memorable outfit before delivering a tailor-made performance that left Sabalenka's Wimbledon challenge in tatters.
Osaka faces Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova for a place in the last four.
L.Guglielmino--PV
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