LONDON, JUL (IANS): Naomi Osaka achieved a career milestone at Wimbledon by advancing to the fourth round for the first time. On Friday, the 14th seed dismantled Daria Kasatkina 6 1, 6 3 in just 65 minutes, completing her set of reaching the second week at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Osaka, a two time champion at both the Australian Open and US Open, had previously reached the second week at the French Open as well. Her victory over Kasatkina marked her fourth win in as many meetings against the Russian, improving her head to head record to 4 0.
The former world No. 1 dominated from the start, losing only five points on serve in the opening set and racing to a 6 1, 3 1 lead. Kasatkina briefly rallied to level the second set at 3 3, but Osaka regained control in the seventh game and closed out the match with authority. The win highlighted her growing confidence on grass and ensured her best ever Wimbledon campaign.
Pegula cruises into fourth round with straight sets win
Jessica Pegula continued her strong grass court form with a commanding 6 1, 6 3 victory over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The fourth seed needed just 53 minutes to secure her place in the last 16 without dropping a set.
Pegula dominated from the outset, racing to a 4 0 lead before taking the first set 6 1. Although Bouzas Maneiro briefly broke serve in the second set, Pegula responded with four consecutive games to regain control. She finished with 12 winners and won 79 percent of points on her first serve. The American, runner up at the 2024 US Open, has now improved her grass court record this season to 7 1, following her runner up finish in Berlin. Pegula admitted she has adopted a new mindset about grass, choosing not to pressure herself with expectations. This approach has paid off, as she continues her best Wimbledon run in recent years.
Safiullin storms into fourth round after emotional comeback from injury
Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin produced one of the most emotional victories of his career, defeating Brazil’s João Fonseca 6 3, 6 3, 6 3 to reach the fourth round. The 28 year old, who had not won a tour level match in 2026 before Wimbledon, delivered a commanding performance in just over two hours.
Safiullin, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2023, had endured months of injury frustration, ending his 2025 season after the US Open. Ranked No. 132, he entered through qualifying and stunned seeded players Andrey Rublev and Botic van de Zandschulp in earlier rounds. Against Fonseca, he saved all five break points and dominated throughout.
Overcome with emotion, Safiullin fought back tears during his on court interview, reflecting on his difficult recovery. His victory propelled him 37 places up the live ATP rankings to No. 95. He will next face either seven time champion Novak Djokovic or France’s Arthur Rinderknech for a place in the quarterfinals.
Fonseca stunned by Russian qualifier Safiullin
Brazilian rising star João Fonseca, seeded No. 24, was stunned by Safiullin’s straight sets victory. The Russian, who had already upset 12th seeded Rublev earlier in the week, continued his remarkable run at the All England Club.
Fans on Court No. 2 applauded as Safiullin wiped away tears after the win. His journey back from injury has resonated with supporters, and his performance has reaffirmed his potential on the big stage.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Djokovic and Rinderknech were battling on Centre Court, while defending champion Jannik Sinner faced Jenson Brooksby on Court No. 1. In the women’s draw, top ranked Aryna Sabalenka was scheduled to play Jelena Ostapenko later in the day.
