Naomi Osaka outslugged Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) to reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club for the first time on Sunday. Osaka’s 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.

Osaka’s Strategy

Osaka’s tactics worked, and she outpowered Sabalenka. ‘On the clay courts I felt like she was pushing me back a lot. I just tried to do it to her first,’ Osaka said. Osaka saved the only two break points she faced and put 87% of her first serves in play — compared to 69% for Sabalenka.

Osaka also led 8-5 in aces and 21-15 in winners in the match, which lasted less than 1 ½ hours. ‘She overpowered me,’ Sabalenka said. ‘I felt like it was incredible level from her.’ Osaka will now get a rematch with Karolina Muchova, who beat 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.