Overview
- Aryna Sabalenka was beaten 2-6, 6-7(2) by Naomi Osaka in the Wimbledon last 16, ending her streak of reaching at least the quarterfinals in 14 consecutive majors.
- Earlier this year she surrendered a winning position to lose in the Roland Garros quarterfinals to Diana Shnaider, a collapse that intensified scrutiny of her Grand Slam form.
- Caroline Wozniacki publicly defended Sabalenka, saying high expectations make her losses more visible and praising Osaka’s level in the Wimbledon match.
- Sabalenka remains world No.1 but holds a narrow lead over Elena Rybakina, with published totals of about 8,550 points versus 8,143 points, making the Canadian and Cincinnati events pivotal for ranking security.
- Beyond the immediate ranking fight, Sabalenka’s status as two-time defending US Open champion and her recent tour dominance, including 100 weeks at No.1, frame New York as the key chance to cement her legacy and avoid an unwanted statistical footnote.