Wimbledon 2026: Osaka and Eala soar into SW19 second week

Osaka “overpowers” Sabalenka to break new ground

It’s fair to say that grass has failed to be a happy hunting ground for Naomi Osaka over the years.

However, in 2026 it’s all switched for the former world No.1, who toppled the current world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2) on Sunday.

Sabalenka admitted she was under par, but hailed the Japanese icon for “overpowering” the top seed.

It was a full-throttle display, which was coated in control too. Having never progressed past the Wimbledon third round, Osaka is now in the quarter-finals and ever so close to a first major since Australian Open 2021.

“I thought it was a really fun match, even if I lost I would have said it was a great match,” said an overjoyed Osaka.

“Going into this match, I lost to her three times in a row (in 2026), so that really sucked. I wanted to turn it over and I’m really glad I got the opportunity to do it. For me, this court is so special. This is the first match that I’ve won on this court!”

Last July, the four-time Grand Slam champion enlisted Tomasz Wiktorowski – formerly guiding Iga Swiatek – as her coach. The world No.14 has hailed the Pole for her recent grass court success.

“Definitely I would say my relationship with grass and Wimbledon hasn't been the best when I was younger,” said Osaka.

“I'm not really sure why I feel so comfortable on grass now this year. I think I've done a lot of drills with Tomasz. Most of them weren't necessarily even on grass court. It was more like pattern recognition and things like that, getting me comfortable with my own game.

“Honestly, I think like throughout the entire year, he's been getting me more comfortable with my movement and what my plans are playing opponents.”

Osaka’s buzz word following victory over the world No.1 was “fun,” the 28-year-old is competing with a smile on her face.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court. To do it here really means a lot,” added Osaka.

“After Rome (in May). I lost to Iga (Swiatek) really badly. I felt like I just shut everyone out. I literally just got on a plane back home. It wasn't the most professional thing to do. I didn't talk to my team. I felt really ashamed about what I did. So then after that I just told myself, like, ‘Hey, I'm nearing 30, I really got to enjoy the time that I have.’

“Also, obviously tennis is very, very important to me, but I have a life outside of that. I have to treasure tennis in the way that I can, which is not putting too much importance on it.”

Eala inspiring far and wide

Three years ago, Philippine trailblazer Alex Eala was graduating from the Rafael Nadal Academy, with her diploma delivered by Iga Swiatek.

Fast forward to Centre Court on Saturday and the infectiously positive 21-year-old pulled off a mesmerising 7-6(9), 6-2 victory over six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek to chalk up yet another ‘first to…’

This time Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam in the Open Era.

She’s hitting free, has so many weapons and angles to her strikes, make no mistake the roadrunner world No.32 is a contender for the trophy lift on Saturday.

"I went to train every day after school with my ruffled socks, light-up shoes and chubby cheeks - to younger me this is everything,” said Eala.

"It is incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on, knowing that we are all in this together. This goes out to them, my family and all the girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world.

“I hold Wimbledon very close to my heart. Being able to play here on Centre Court the second year in a row, it's amazing for me to be able to do that and to have these intense moments and this level of competition in essentially the best stage in the world for tennis.”

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