Home / Sports / Wimbledon Upset: No. 25 Seed Ousts Rybakina
Wimbledon Upset: No. 25 Seed Ousts Rybakina
4 Jul
Summary
- Elise Mertens defeated 2022 champion Elena Rybakina on Centre Court.
- Rybakina's loss prevents her from overtaking Sabalenka for the No. 1 ranking.
- Mertens advances to face Marie Bouzková in the fourth round.
Wimbledon witnessed its biggest upset of 2026 on Saturday as Belgian Elise Mertens, the No. 25 seed, defeated the 2022 champion Elena Rybakina. The Centre Court match concluded with a score of 7-6(4), 6-1, marking Mertens' second career victory over the world No. 2.
Rybakina's defeat has significant repercussions for the WTA singles rankings. Her inability to reach at least the quarterfinals means she cannot overtake Aryna Sabalenka for the No. 1 ranking, allowing Sabalenka to maintain her current position.
Mertens, who had a 7-1 head-to-head record against Rybakina entering the match, controlled much of the contest despite a nervy first set. Rybakina struggled with her serve and forehand, hitting only 42 percent of her first serves. Mertens is now set to play No. 21 seed Marie Bouzková of the Czech Republic in the fourth round.
