Sabalenka Battles Past Mertens to Keep Wimbledon Dream Alive
It’s been a wild ride at Wimbledon this year, and Aryna Sabalenka just added another thrilling chapter to the story. The world number one showed exactly why she’s at the top of the game, grinding out a hard-fought victory against her former doubles partner Elise Mertens to reach the quarter-finals. Sabalenka, who has come close to the Wimbledon crown in previous years—making it to the semi-finals in both 2021 and 2023—is now just two wins away from her first final on the iconic grass courts of SW19.
The 27-year-old Belarusian came into this match with an impressive record against Mertens, having beaten her nine times in a row. But this one wasn’t as straightforward as history might’ve suggested. Mertens came out fighting, full of confidence and craft, and pushed Sabalenka to her limits. What looked like a routine match at 4-1 in the first set quickly turned into a real test of nerve and resilience.
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Sabalenka eventually took the first set 6-4, but not before Mertens clawed her way back into it. And then in the second, the Belgian broke early and led 3-1, using her clever mix of pace, spin, and tactical nous to keep Sabalenka off balance. But if there’s one thing we know about Aryna Sabalenka, it’s that she thrives under pressure. She broke back, stayed locked in mentally, and when the second-set tie-break arrived, she flipped the switch. From 2-0 down in the breaker, she stormed back to win it 7-4.
After the match, Sabalenka admitted just how tough it was playing against someone she knows so well. “It’s tricky facing her,” she said. “She’s a great player and a great person. I knew she’d fight until the very end and she really challenged me today. I’m super happy with the win.”
Now, her focus turns to the quarter-finals, where she’ll face Germany’s Laura Siegemund—at 37, the oldest woman left in the draw. Siegemund is having a dream run herself, but she’ll have her hands full with a fired-up Sabalenka who’s inching ever closer to that elusive Wimbledon title.
And as Sabalenka said herself: “Everything is possible. I always dreamed of winning it. Every time I step on this court, I give my best and hope for the best.” With the way she’s been battling through this unpredictable tournament, don’t be surprised if that dream finally becomes a reality.
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