Wimbledon 2026 outcomes: Naomi Osaka powered by mum’s cooking in win over Aryna Sabalenka

Osaka not solely matched Sabalenka for tempo however performed with extra management. While Sabalenka’s frustrations after a missed shot have been met with a yell or a glare at her field, Osaka would flip her again on a fluffed shot, heels kicking up as she jogged again to the baseline.

She performed with freedom, hitting 21 winners and profitable 87% of factors behind her first serve.

She credited coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who she joined up with in mid-2025, along with her change in grass-court recreation.

“When I was younger, I used to be extremely low, to the point where I’d bang my knees on the ground and think maybe I need knee guards while I’m playing,” Osaka mentioned.

“We all understood that I have potential to play really good on grass. I just need to figure out the movement part.

“I’ve achieved loads of drills with Tomasz. Most of them weren’t essentially even on the grass court docket. It was extra like sample recognition and getting me comfy with my very own recreation.

“Throughout the entire year, he’s been getting me more comfortable with my movement.”

Osaka additionally credit her calmness with having her household round her in London.

The household keep in a home collectively and celebrated Shai’s third birthday on Thursday – though Osaka did inform Friday’s Court One crowd that she’d had put her daughter in time-out as a result of “she was kind of bad”.

Quarter-final opponent Karolina Muchova – a artful participant who will counter Osaka’s tempo with spin and guile – can be a troublesome check, however she’s going to come up towards a “looser, calmer, and more ready” Osaka.

“Osaka probably thought it [her return] was taking way too long – this time last year she wasn’t even ranked in the top 50,” Austin mentioned on BBC TV.

“She has done a great job of getting more consistent, she is fitter than I’ve ever seen her and she is so committed to being controlled out there.”