Aryna Sabalenka Reaches Wimbledon Quarter-Finals After Tough Win
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is through to the Wimbledon quarter-finals after beating Elise Mertens in a hard-fought match.
The 27-year-old, who has reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2021 and 2023, won in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). She will now face Germany’s Laura Siegemund, ranked 104th in the world, for a place in the last four.
Sabalenka is now the only top-six seed left in the women’s draw, after many of the top players were knocked out earlier in the tournament.
She had already come through a tough match against British number one Emma Raducanu, and her latest match wasn’t any easier — even though she had beaten Mertens nine times before.
“I’m super happy with my performance,” Sabalenka said. “It was a battle. Elise is a great player and a very smart one. She pushed me to the limit.”
Sabalenka started strong, breaking Mertens early and taking a 4-1 lead in the first set. But Mertens fought back, breaking serve and moving Sabalenka around the court. Still, Sabalenka managed another break to win the set 6-4.
In the second set, Mertens raised her level again. She broke Sabalenka early and went ahead 3-1, taking advantage as Sabalenka struggled with her first serve. But the world number one broke back, and the set went to a tie-break.
There, Sabalenka showed her class — coming back from 2-0 down to win the tie-break and the match.
Speaking after the win, Sabalenka said she’s not thinking too far ahead. “Everything is possible,” she said. “I’m just giving my best and hoping for the best.”
