Naomi Osaka is getting hot at the right time.
On Sunday (July 5), Osaka knocked off No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a major upset to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Osaka won by scores of 6-2, 7-6 (2) in straight sets on Sunday (July 5).
Before the match, Osaka stepped onto the court wearing her Tarantino-inspired white kimono. The look that has defined her Wimbledon walk-ons—before she put on a tennis masterclass.
During the match, Osaka was dominated in the first set. But Sabalenka rebounded in the second set, which led to a tiebreaker.
Following the match, Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, shared what a great space she’s in.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court. And to do it here, it really means a lot,” Osaka said on court after the match. “I mean, going into this match, I lost to her like three times in a row, so that really sucked. So I wanted to turn it [around], and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to do that.”
Sabalenka, also a four-time major champion, had reached the quarterfinals or better in her previous 14 major appearances before falling to Osaka. She expressed her frustration with her performance at the press conference.
”I didn’t play my best, and she played probably her best,” Sabalenka said. “Sometimes that happens. Sometimes you can go out there and do everything you can and still lose the match. Obviously, I’m not really happy.”
OSAKA IS LOOKING FOR HER FIRST WIMBLEDON GRAND SLAM TROPHY
This is the second consecutive Grand Slam where Sabalenka has failed to reach the latter stages.
In the quarterfinals, Osaka will take on No. 10 Karolina Muchova. The match will mark the first time Osaka has made it to the quarterfinals in her sixth Wimbledon appearance.