The All England Club witnessed a major upset on Saturday as former Wimbledon champion and second seed Elena Rybakina exited the 2026 Championships in the third round.
The Kazakh star was defeated by a resilient Elise Mertens of Belgium in straight sets, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, sending shockwaves through the women’s singles draw. Rybakina, who lifted the coveted Venus Rosewater Dish in 2022 and recently triumphed at the 2026 Australian Open, was widely considered a strong contender for this year’s title. However, her campaign came to an abrupt end against the 25th seed Mertens, who delivered a commanding performance on the grass courts of Wimbledon.
Elise Mertens Stuns Elena Rybakina
Match Details
The crucial third-round encounter took place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, England. While the exact court has not been specified, third-round matches were a prominent feature of the day’s play. The match likely commenced around 1:00 PM BST, concluding in the afternoon.
Elena Rybakina’s Wimbledon Journey Ends
Elena Rybakina, aged 27, had shown flashes of her formidable grass-court game in earlier rounds, notably overcoming Caty McNally 6-1, 6-2 in the second round after a three-set battle against Lois Boisson in her opener. Despite her impressive 18-4 career record at Wimbledon prior to this match, Mertens proved to be an insurmountable challenge.
Elise Mertens’ Upset Victory
Elise Mertens, the world number 25, played an exceptional match, particularly holding her nerve to clinch the crucial first set tie-break. This momentum carried her through a dominant second set, where Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm and succumbed to the Belgian’s relentless pressure. The victory marks a significant achievement for Mertens, who will now advance further into the tournament, having eliminated one of the top contenders.
This early exit for Rybakina throws the women’s singles draw wide open, setting the stage for potentially unpredictable and thrilling matches as Wimbledon 2026 progresses.
The unexpected loss for Elena Rybakina will undoubtedly be the talk of the tournament, leaving fans to wonder who will now seize the opportunity in what promises to be a captivating second week at SW19.