World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-6(4) in the last 16 on Centre Court on Sunday to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Sabalenka was pegged back to 4-4 having had a 4-1 lead in the opening set, but she won the next two games to take the set.
The Belarusian then battled back from 1-3 deficit in the second set and won a tiebreak to book her place in the quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old’s outstanding consistency at majors is highlighted by the fact she is into her 11th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final and she has won 23 of her last 25 major matches.
Martina Hingis and Monica Seles also made 11 successive Grand Slam quarter-finals, while Steffi Graf (17), Serena Williams (16) and Gabriela Sabatini (15) are the only women to amass longer streaks in the Open Era.
Sabalenka is only the fourth woman in the last 30 years to reach the last eight at the first three Grand Slams in a season without dropping a set, after Venus Williams (1998), Kim Clijsters (2006) and Justine Henin (2006).
Remarkably, by winning her 16th tiebreak in 2025, Sabalenka has equalled the record for the most tiebreaks won in a single WTA Tour season. Billie Jean King (1971), Wendy Turnbull (1978) and Elena Rybakina (2023) are the other players to reach this tally.
Sabalenka, who has won 14 straight tiebreaks, was asked about her mentality going into tiebreaks in her press conference.
“Well, I think just because I’m not thinking about these stats during the match helps me to stay focused from the very beginning till the very end of the tiebreak. Because tiebreak is a tricky game,” Sabalenka said.
“Everything can just go one way or another. You just got to be focused on each point and be aggressive. Not to, I don’t know, slow down your arms, just go for your motions. Play as it’s just a game and stay aggressive.”
In her on-court interview, Sabalenka addressed the fact that Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam at which she is yet to reach the final.
“I mean, with your support guys, I think everything is possible,” she said. “I don’t know, I mean it’s such a beautiful tournament and I always dreamed of winning it.
“Every time I’m on this court, I’m just trying to bring my best tennis, I’m trying to fight for every point, I’m trying to give my best and I really hope for the best (laughs).”
Sabalenka will face world No. 104 Laura Siegemund in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
