‘Tomorrow’s my daughter’s birthday. I didn’t want to make her get on a plane!’ – Osaka on high stakes of second round

Aryna Sabalenka faces Naomi Osaka in a battle of current and former world No 1s with Wimbledon staging a fourth-round blockbuster between four-time grand slam champions.

Osaka, 28, is through to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time and while her fashion walk-outs have attracted considerable attention, the Japanese star has found serious form on the grass after struggling on the surface earlier in her career.

Osaka now plays top seed Sabalenka for the fourth time this season. Before this year, Osaka and Sabalenka had not played since the 2018 US Open but Sabalenka has won all three of this season’s meetings – including in the last-16 of last month’s French Open.

Neither Osaka or Sabalenka have won a grass-court before, but the Wimbledon draw is opening up after defeats for Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova on the other side of the bracket on Saturday.

Earlier, Novak Djokovic advanced to his ninth consecutive Wimbledon quarter-final and claimed the outright record for wins in the men’s singles as he overcame some testing moments to beat qualifier Roman Safiulin in four sets.

With his 7-6 (6), 6-3, 3-6 6-3 victory, Djokovic secured his 106th victory at the Championships, moving him clear of Roger Federer for the all-time men’s record. Djokovic will play either third seed Felix Auger-Aiassime or 22nd seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Tuesday’s quarter-final, as the 39-year-old Djokovic continues his bid for a record 25th grand slam title.

Follow latest scores and updates from Wimbledon, below

Wimbledon LIVE: Latest tennis scores and updates*Naomi Osaka 6-2 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka, for the first time in a long time, holds to love. The world No 1 has hung on in this second set, and will make Osaka hold to stay in it.

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:44

Naomi Osaka 6-2 4-4 Aryna Sabalenka*

This Osaka serve… still yet to face a break point, Sabalenka is yet to come up with any answers on the return. She lands her sixth ace of the match to level this second set at 4-4.

(Getty)

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:42

*Naomi Osaka 6-2 3-4 Aryna Sabalenka

A chance for Osaka at the net but she puts the smash into the bottom of the net. Sabalenka closes out the hold on serve with fewer issues than her last service.

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:39

Naomi Osaka 6-2 3-3 Aryna Sabalenka*

After pushing Sabalenka in the last game, Osaka gets through to love. Back-to-back winners on the backhand side, and Sabalenka then pushes out.

Sabalenka has really looked quite short of ideas, with Osaka almost alwasys being able to play on her terms.

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:35

*Naomi Osaka 6-2 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka

Osaka nets on the backhand when she had an opportunity to drive the shot up the line and Sabalenka gets through with a crucial hold.

(PA)

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:32

Naomi Osaka 6-2 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka*

Brilliant crosscourt return from Osaka, and it sets up the chance for the backhand crosscourt winner! Break point to Osaka to take control of the second set. Sabalenak saves with the wide serve, catching the line, and roars!

Osaka once again forces Sabalenka onto her back foot, and will get another break point as Sabalenka nets. Sabalenka just misses the serve this time… Sabalenka finds the wide serve, and follows with the backhand winner.

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:30

Naomi Osaka 6-2 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka*

More pressure for Sabalenka as she fires out on the backhand to face 30-30. Osaka has been offered many looks at second serves, but she hangs on following the baseline duel as Osaka puts a forehand into the net. Sabalenka should finish the game with a forehand winner, but fires out.

Osaka continues putting the pressure on, on deuce.

(PA)

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:27

Naomi Osaka 6-2 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka*

Osaka clenches her first as she fires a 117mph serve, which is blocked out by Sabalenka.

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:22

*Naomi Osaka 6-2 1-2 Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka whacks her head with her racket after firing a forehand out. Osaka goes on the attack on 0-30 but Sabalenka can fend her off and Osaka hits long. Sabalenka is forced on the backfoot again and a backhand slice just clears the net, but she hangs on.

Ace from Sabalenka! Right on the line. This game could have unravelled but she has brought it back.

(Reuters)

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:18

Naomi Osaka 6-2 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka*

Sabalenka has barely been able to make a dent in Osaka’s service games so far. Osaka skips through a love-hold as Sabalenka puts a return into the net.

(AP)

Jamie Braidwood5 July 2026 18:14