LONDON (AP) \u2014 When power meets power, getting in the first blow can sometimes be the key.<\/p>\n
In a matchup of two of the hardest hitters on tour, that was Naomi Osaka\u2019s<\/a> strategy against top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> in the most highly awaited matchup of Wimbledon so far this year.<\/p>\n Sabalenka had beaten Osaka in all three of their previous matches this year \u2014 including at the same stage of the French Open last month.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the clay courts I felt like she was pushing me back a lot. I just tried to do it to her first,\u201d Osaka said.<\/p>\n The tactics worked, and Osaka outslugged Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) to reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club for the first time on Sunday.<\/p>\n Osaka\u2019s pace and flat groundstrokes overwhelmed Sabalenka.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously we\u2019re big ball strikers. It\u2019s not like I\u2019m going to start running around the court trying to draw an error from her. I can only focus on my strengths,\u201d Osaka said.<\/p>\n \u201cI just tried to serve really well, because it\u2019s grass. I also tried to get the upper hand in the rallies first.\u201d<\/p>\n Osaka\u2019s power had an even bigger impact than usual as her balls flew through the air faster on the warmest day of the tournament so far: The temperature during the match reached 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit).<\/p>\n \u201cShe overpowered me,\u201d Sabalenka said. \u201cI felt like it was incredible level from her.\u201d<\/p>\n Besides Paris, Sabalenka also beat Osaka in Indian Wells, California, and Madrid this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThat really sucked,\u201d Osaka said. \u201cSo I wanted to turn it (around).\u201d<\/p>\n When it was over, Osaka performed a few fist pumps, let out a brief smile and then placed her racket over her head and spun around in delight to celebrate her first career win on Centre Court.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since I\u2019ve had so much fun on the court,\u201d Osaka said. \u201cAnd to do it here, it really means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Mental health and maternity<\/p>\n It was Osaka\u2019s first win over a No. 1 player since beating Ash Barty in Beijing in 2019. That was before Osaka, a former No. 1 herself, took breaks from the tour to manage her mental health in 2021 and for maternity leave that resulted in her missing all of 2023.<\/p>\n Osaka\u2019s daughter turned three on Thursday.<\/p>\n After getting routed by Iga Swiatek in the Italian Open round of 16 in May, Osaka said she \u201cshut everyone out\u201d on her team and \u201cliterally just got on a plane back home.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the most professional thing to do,\u201d she said. \u201cI felt really ashamed about what I did. So then after that I just told myself, \u2018Hey, I\u2019m nearing 30, I really got to enjoy the time that I have.\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Sabalenka to \u2018forget about tennis\u2019<\/p>\n