Sabalenka, Alcaraz Advance as Top Seeds Fall at Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka, world number one, has reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals by defeating Elise Mertens in straight sets, extending her unbeaten set record and marking her tenth consecutive win over Mertens. Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon in 2023 due to injury and was banned in 2022, is now the last of the top six women's seeds remaining and will face Laura Siegemund next. Carlos Alcaraz, the men's second seed, continued his title defense by overcoming British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, keeping his hopes for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown alive. The end of a London heatwave brought more stable playing conditions, but the tournament still saw early exits of prominent players such as Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev. Last year's women's runner-up Jasmine Paolini was also eliminated, while Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka advanced. The men's draw continued to experience upsets with further seeded players, including Frances Tiafoe, being knocked out.