Elena Rybakina Falls to Mertens in Wimbledon Shock Upset

Elena Rybakina suffered a surprise defeat to Elise Mertens on July 6, 2026, when the Kazakh star fell 6‑3, 6‑2 in the Wimbledon third round, ending her campaign as the tournament's second seed.

What happened on Centre Court?

Mertens entered the match as the 28th‑ranked player, but she played with relentless aggression from the first game. Rybakina struggled to find rhythm on her serve, committing three double faults in the opening set. Mertens seized the break at 3‑2, then held serve to close the set 6‑3. In the second set, the Belgian continued to press, breaking twice and never looking back. Rybakina managed only two winners, while Mertens piled on 12 aces, sealing the match at 6‑2.

How does this affect Rybakina's season?

The loss drops Rybakina from world No. 2 to No. 4 in the WTA rankings, according to the July 7 update. It also ends her chance to add a second Wimbledon title to her résumé; she won the event in 2022. The early exit means fewer ranking points than the 1,300 she would have earned by reaching the quarter‑finals, a gap that could influence her seeding at the upcoming US Open. Rybakina will need to regroup quickly, as the summer hard‑court swing begins next week.

What does Mertens gain from the win?

Mertens jumps to a career‑high No. 12 after the victory, earning 130 ranking points and a $140,000 prize. The win also marks her first over a top‑5 opponent at a Grand Slam since 2021, boosting her confidence heading into the US Open Series. Her aggressive baseline play and precise serving were highlighted by commentators as the keys to dismantling Rybakina's game plan.

What’s next for both players?

Rybakina is scheduled to start her hard‑court preparation at the Citi Open in Washington on July 15, where she hopes to collect points and fine‑tune her serve. Mertens will head to the Rogers Cup in Toronto, where a deep run could solidify her top‑10 ambitions. Both athletes will face fresh challenges, but the Wimbledon upset will linger in the conversation around Rybakina’s quest for consistency at Grand Slam events.