Sabalenka battles past Ostapenko to set up Wimbledon last-16 showdown with Osaka

Sabalenka battles past Ostapenko to set up Wimbledon last-16 showdown with Osaka Last updated 03 July 2026 7:14pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Aryna Sabalenka got the better of fellow big hitter Jelena Ostapenko in a close contest on Centre Court Credit: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Sonia Twigg Women's Sport Reporter, at Wimbledon. Uche Amako (live updates), at Wimbledon Last updated 03 July 2026 7:14pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Aryna Sabalenka has never won a tournament on grass, but she has not dropped a set en route to the fourth round of Wimbledon, including easing to a 6-4, 6-4 win against Jelena Ostapenko. In the four previous meetings between the players, Ostapenko had only won one of them, but it was the most recent one in Stuttgart last year, and they had never played each other on grass before. Sabalenka looked every bit a force to be reckoned with, but she will face a challenge of a different kind against Naomi Osaka in the fourth round on Sunday. On the upcoming clash against a player who has made fashion statements in every round of the Championships so far, Sabalenka said on court: “Another aggressive player, another very powerful match and I’m ready to bring the fire and fight and do anything it takes to get through.” Sabalenka produced some stunning shots, even if each one was punctuated by her trademark yells, including a winning forehand off a strong Ostapenko serve. The world No 1 secured a double break to a standing ovation from her box, and raised her level when she had to to remain in control of the match. For Ostapenko it was a case of missed opportunities, like hitting a backhand into the net when 3-1 down in the second set and fighting to save break point. Jelena Ostapenko was unable to mount a comeback after falling behind against the world No 1 in the second set Credit: Glyn Kirk/Getty Images She did show fight, breaking Sabalenka to draw back to 2-4 in the second set, and then holding to love to reduce the deficit. But there were crucial mistakes, like two foot faults in a single game to put her on the back foot, including one that led to a double fault and handed Sabalenka a first match point – even if Ostapenko saved it and went on to hold. After being unable to take the first match point, when it came up on her service game, Sabalenka made no mistakes and won the match in straight sets in an hour and 32 minutes. More to follow... Latest updates Sonia Twigg Women's Sport Reporter, at Wimbledon. Uche Amako (live updates), at Wimbledon 7:11PM Sabalenka on playing Osaka next Link copied to clipboard “Another aggressive player. Another very powerful match. I’m ready to fight and do whatever it takes to get through.” 7:08PM Sabalenka reacts Link copied to clipboard “She is really dangerous. Last match I played against her, I couldn’t do anything, she just smashed me off the court. “I was happy I was able to get this win, especially in straight sets.” 6:57PM Who can stop the world No 1? Link copied to clipboard Sabalenka celebrates her win over Ostapenko Credit: Adam Davy/PA 6:50PM Sabalenka* 6-4, 6-4 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Wide Sabalenka ace, 15-15. Wild Ostapenko return flies high and wide, 30-15. Huge ball striking by Ostapenko and Sabalenko goes long with a forehand.  Big first serve by Sabalenka and Ostapenko can’t get her return in play, match point. One last first serve by Sabalenka is too much for Ostapenko as the ball goes long. GAME SET MATCH SABALENKA!! 6:46PM Sabalenka 6-4, 5-4 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Frustration for Sabalenka after netting a forehand return, 30-15 Both players have struggled to return wide serves today. Double fault by Ostapenko gives Sabalenka a match point. Sabalenka goes for it with her forehand return but strikes it just long. Relief for Ostapenko. She then fizzes a backhand pass past Sabalenka and marches to her chair. Ostapenko knows what she needs to do to extend this match... 6:40PM Sabalenka* 6-4, 5-3 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Incredible return from Ostapenko as she stretches out and fires a forehand winner down the line, 0-15. Ostapenko tries again for an ambitious forehand return but nets, 40-15. Sabalenka moves to within a game of the match with a swinging wide ace. 6:37PM Sabalenka 6-4, 4-3 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Ostapenko has struggled with her ball toss all match. Another wayward throw draws a nice smile from the Latvian. And she is even happier after a forehand winner secures a love hold to stay in touch with Sabalenka. Ostapenko lets off some steam Credit: Adam Davy/PA 6:34PM Sabalenka* 6-4, 4-2 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard 116mph ace from Sabalenka down the T, 15-30. But a double fault makes it 15-40. Safe second serve by Sabalenka is duly punished by Ostapenko, who places a backhand return winner down the line to break. This has been a very strange match. 6:31PM Sabalenka 6-4, 4-1 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Big error from Ostapenko as she opts for a drive backhand and nets, 15-30. Ostapenko puts a volley wide and Sabalenka has a break point, 30-40.  Big first serve by Ostapenko, Sabalenka blocks it back and the ball sits nicely for Ostapenko but she inexplicably nets a backhand. Terrible miss and sums up her performance. 6:26PM Sabalenka* 6-4, 3-1 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Will we get a service hold in this set? Sabalenka does her best, moving to 40-15. An excellent kick second serve, bounces up, making it very awkward for Ostapenko and she can’t control her backhand return, which flies long. Long way back for Ostapenko now. 6:21PM Sabalenka 6-4, 2-1 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Rueful look from Ostapenko after netting a forehand, 0-30. She looks even angrier after another forehand error makes it 0-40. Ostapenko saves the first two break points. But she can’t save a third as she nets a backhand and Sabalenka breaks again. 6:17PM Sabalenka* 6-4, 1-0 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Back comes Ostapenko, who moves to 0-30 with a forehand winner. Ostapenko blocks a return to the feet of Sabalenka and the world No 1 nets a forehand, three break points. Double fault Sabalenka and Ostapenka breaks straight back. Broken to love out of nowhere. 6:15PM Second Set: Sabalenka 6-4, 1-0 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Ominious start by Sabalenka as she crushes a forehand return down the line, 0-30. Sabalenka is all over Ostapenko’s serve and rushes the Latvian into putting a forehand long, 15-40. More break points for Sabalenka. Relief for Ostapenko as she finds two first serves and earns the return errors. A double fault by Ostapenko puts her in trouble. She goes safe with her second serve on the next point but it sits up nicely for Sabalenka to crush another return winner to break. Ostapenko eyes the ball as she prepares to play a forehand against Sabalenka  Credit: Kin Cheung/AP 6:02PM *Sabalenka 6-4 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Ruthless finish from Sabalenka as he holds to love. Five aces, 78 per cent of points won on the first serve, 11 winners and just one unforced error. The performance of a genuine contender for the title. 5:58PM Sabalenka 5-4 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Ostapenko tries to be delicate with a drop shot but gets it all wrong as the ball tamely drops into the net, 30-15. A double fault by the Latvian then makes it 30-30. Pressure point coming up... Set point Sabalenka as the game for Ostapenko goes awry. Saved by Ostapenko with a backhand winner, deuce. Another drop shot by Ostapenko, this time she gets it right. Sabalenka scrambles to get there but flicks her backhand long. Can she force a break and prolong the set? 5:53PM *Sabalenka 5-3 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Unsurprisingly, this match is lacking for meaningful rallies. See ball, crush ball. If you make an error, so be it. Sabalenka hold to love again. Sabalenka returns the ball to Jelena Ostapenko Credit: Kin Cheung/AP 5:50PM Sabalenka 4-3 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Ostapenko bulldozes her way through another service game, holding to love. She will be keen to make her mark on the Sabalenka serve. 5:47PM *Sabalenka 4-2 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard The world No 1, looking to consolidate the early break, starts with a strong serve plus-one. Ostapenko then nets a backhand return to as Sabalenka moves to 30-0.  Ostapenko comes up with a return winner to get on the board and then passes the Belarussian with a forehand pass. Another good point from Ostapenko gets the Latvian to deuce and then advantage after letting rip on a forehand.  A good T-serve saves break point for Sabalenka who sees Ostapenko push a backhand return wide. Sabalenka holds to consolidate.  5:40PM Sabalenka 3-2 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Ostapenko, who has started well, wins the opening point before getting past on the backhand wing.  A deep return sees Sabalenka move 15-30 ahead. The top seed then nets a short forehand for 30-30. Ostapenko then throws in a forehand error of her own after a good second serve.  Sabalenka breaks with a backhand return winner! 5:35PM *Sabalenka 2-2 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Sabalenka races to 30-0 lead before delivering her third ace of the match to move to 40-0. The top seed is then passed after coming following a serve-volley play, but Sabalenka holds to 15 to draw things level. 5:31PM Sabalenka 1-2 Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard After trading the opening two points, Sabalenka gets to 15-30 after Ostapenko nets a forehand off a deep Sabalenka return. Ostapenko then gets Sabalenka on the run before finding a forehand cross-court for a clean winner. The Latvian holds to 30. 5:28PM *Sabalenka 1-1 Ostapenko Link copied to clipboard Ostapenko goes long from the baseline with a forehand to give Sabalenka a 15-0 lead. Ostapenko then shows great foot speed to get to a short ball and make a forehand pass. Sabalenka then delivers an ace to move 30-15 ahead and then gets to game point after ripping a forehand-cross for a clean winner.  A deep forehand from Ostapenko then catches Sabalenka off guard, before the Latvian wins the next two points after a couple of great returns. Forehand winner down the line saves break point for Sabalenka. Serve-volley play gives Sabalenka advantage. And the top seed delivers an ace to close out the game. 5:21PM First set: Aryna Sabalenka 0-1 Jelena Ostapenko* Link copied to clipboard Ostapenko is taken to deuce by the world No 1 before holding to get things started in this first set. 5:11PM Osaka awaits in round four Link copied to clipboard Naomi Osaka awaits the winner in found four. The former world No 1 needed just 65 minutes to get past Daria Kasatkina earlier – 6-1, 6-3. The Japanese 14th seed has not dropped a set in the first week. Naomi Osaka is through to the fourth round for the first time in her career Credit: Brian Inganga/AP 5:02PM World No 1 leads head-to-head 3-1 Link copied to clipboard Good afternoon and welcome to third-round Wimbledon coverage of Aryna Sabalenka versus Jelena Ostapenko. Sabalenka, the top seed, came through her previous two matches in straight sets – beating Teodora Kostovic in round one before seeing off McCartney Kessler in round two. In that second round match, the Belarussian extended her incredible tie-break winning streak record at grand slams to 21. Speaking afterwards, Sabalenka said: “On a serious note, on the tie-break, I’m willing to focus point by point, not going really too far in the future or staying too much in the past. I think that’s been really working well. I trust my shots on the tie-break. I think that really makes a big difference. “Every point makes a difference, at the beginning especially. I feel like trusting my shots and staying aggressive on the tie-breaks really helps me to get these incredible stats.” Ostapenko, a former world No 3, will have her work cut out today. The Latvian saw off Great Britain’s Harriet Dart in three sets in the first round but had an easier time in her second-round match, coming through in straight sets against Antonia Ruzic in 66 minutes. On the prospect of facing Sabalenka, Ostapenko said: “I like interesting matches. I think tennis is a big challenge in general, I don’t think those other things are extra challenges. I just take it as another match. She’s a great player but I think I have to do what I have to do and focus more on myself.” World No 1 Sabalenka is a three-time semi-finalist at SW19, reaching that stage in her last three appearances. Ostapenko reached the last four in 2018 and lost in the first round last year. Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 3-1 but Ostapenko won their most recent meeting in straight sets in the Stuttgart final last year. Today’s match is their first on grass.