Elena Rybakina upset by Elise Mertens in Wimbledon third round
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 4, 2026, 2:01 PM
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
Elena Rybakina, the second seed at Wimbledon, has been eliminated by Elise Mertens in the third round. Mertens won in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1, marking the second consecutive year Rybakina, the 2022 champion, has not advanced past this stage. Mertens' victory ends a six-match losing streak to Rybakina. She will face Marie Bouzkova in the fourth round after Bouzkova defeated Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
- •Elena Rybakina loses to Elise Mertens in straight sets.
- •Match score was 7-6 (7-4), 6-1.
- •This is Rybakina's second consecutive third-round exit.
- •Mertens advances to face Marie Bouzkova in the fourth round.
- •Rybakina had won the Australian Open earlier this year.
- 3:25 PMESPN — Mertens upsets Rybakina in Wimbledon 3rd round
- 2:16 PMYahoo Sports — Elena Rybakina, Wimbledon champion in 2022, stunned by Elise Mertens in third round
- 2:09 PMYahoo Sports — No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina loses in Wimbledon 3rd round to Elise Mertens
- 2:02 PMYahoo Sports — Second seed Rybakina knocked out of Wimbledon
- 2:01 PMBBC Sport — Second seed Rybakina knocked out of Wimbledon
- 1:46 PMYahoo Sports — Wimbledon: Elise Mertens knocks off No. 2 Elena Rybakina in straight sets to advance to fourth round
- 1:43 PMYahoo Sports — Former champion Elena Rybakina knocked out of Wimbledon in third-round upset
"THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB, London — After a mostly chalky first week, Wimbledon got its biggest upset of 2026 Saturday when Elise Mertens, the No. 25 seed from Belgium, knocked out 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, 7-6(4), 6-1, on Centre Court for her second career win against the world No. 2 in nine tries. Rybakina’s loss not only affects the draw, but the WTA singles rankings, as well. The world No. 2 needed to reach at least the quarterfinals to have a chance at overtaking Aryna Sabalenka for the No.
"Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was upset in the third round by Elise Mertens 7-6 (4), 6-1 at the grass-court Grand Slam on Saturday.
"The Australian Open champion had won seven of her eight meetings against Elise Mertens but was knocked out by the 25th seed 7-6 6-1
Sources
External links- ESPNJul 4, 2026, 3:25 PMMertens upsets Rybakina in Wimbledon 3rd round
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was upset in the third round by Elise Mertens 7-6 (4), 6-1 at the grass-court Grand Slam on Saturday.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 2:16 PMElena Rybakina, Wimbledon champion in 2022, stunned by Elise Mertens in third round
THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB, London — After a mostly chalky first week, Wimbledon got its biggest upset of 2026 Saturday when Elise Mertens, the No. 25 seed from Belgium, knocked out 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, 7-6(4), 6-1, on Centre Court for her second career win against the world No. 2 in nine tries. Rybakina’s loss not only affects the draw, but the WTA singles rankings, as well. The world No. 2 needed to reach at least the quarterfinals to have a chance at overtaking Aryna Sabalenka for the No.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 2:09 PMNo. 2 seed Elena Rybakina loses in Wimbledon 3rd round to Elise Mertens
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 2:02 PMSecond seed Rybakina knocked out of Wimbledon
Elena Rybakina becomes the highest seed to fall at Wimbledon so far in a straight-set third-round defeat by Elise Mertens.
- BBC SportJul 4, 2026, 2:01 PMSecond seed Rybakina knocked out of Wimbledon
Elena Rybakina becomes the highest seed to fall at Wimbledon so far in a straight-set third-round defeat by Elise Mertens.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 1:46 PMWimbledon: Elise Mertens knocks off No. 2 Elena Rybakina in straight sets to advance to fourth round
Mertens ends a six-match losing streak to the 2022 Wimbledon women's champion.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 1:43 PMFormer champion Elena Rybakina knocked out of Wimbledon in third-round upset
The Australian Open champion had won seven of her eight meetings against Elise Mertens but was knocked out by the 25th seed 7-6 6-1
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