Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and No. 2 seed, was eliminated in the third round on July 12, 2026, losing 7-6(4), 6-1 to Belgium’s Elise Mertens. The defeat marks the earliest Grand Slam exit of her career as a top-two seed and ends her bid to defend her title.
What happened?
Rybakina struggled to find rhythm against Mertens, who broke her serve twice in the first set and held firm in the tiebreak. Mertens saved two break points in the opening set and clinched it 7-6(4) with a sharp backhand down the line. The second set was even more one-sided: Mertens broke early and never looked back, closing it 6-1 with three aces and just five unforced errors.
Why it matters for Elena Rybakina?
Her loss means she won’t reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time since her 2022 title run. As the highest-seeded woman still in the draw to fall, her exit ensures Aryna Sabalenka retains the No. 1 ranking regardless of her own result. Rybakina, 25, has now lost in the third round of two of the last three Grand Slams, raising questions about her grass-court consistency.
What comes next?
Mertens, the No. 25 seed, advances to face 21st-seeded Marie Bouzkova in the fourth round. Rybakina’s next steps are unclear. She has not publicly commented on her plans, but her ranking could drop below No. 5 if she doesn’t defend points from her 2022 title. Her next tournament appearance will likely be in the lead-up to the US Open.
How did the rest of the draw shift?
Rybakina’s exit came hours after defending champion Iga Swiatek lost to Alexandra Eala. With both top seeds gone, the women’s draw is wide open. Sabalenka, who faces Naomi Osaka next, now stands as the favorite. The top half of the bracket has no remaining seeds above No. 13.