Wimbledon 2025: Mertens stuns Rybakina, Kostyuk reaches Round of 16
Synopsis
Second seed Elena Rybakina — a former Wimbledon champion — was sent packing by Elise Mertens in straight sets on 4 July, as Marta Kostyuk also advanced with a three-set win over Emma Navarro. Kostyuk, now 19-1 in her last 20 matches and ranked No. 11 live, is rapidly reshaping the women's draw at SW19.
Key Takeaways
Elise Mertens defeated second seed Elena Rybakina 7-6(4), 6-1 on 4 July to reach the Wimbledon Round of 16.
Marta Kostyuk beat Emma Navarro 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time in her career .
Kostyuk has won 19 of her last 20 matches and holds a 25-5 season record.
Kostyuk is ranked No.
11 in live standings, closing in on a maiden Top-10 ranking.
Mertens faces Marie Bouzkova next; Kostyuk meets either Daria Snigur or Ashlyn Krueger .
Elise Mertens produced one of the standout upsets of Wimbledon 2025, eliminating second seed and former champion Elena Rybakina in straight sets on 4 July, while Marta Kostyuk defeated Emma Navarro to reach the fourth round of the All England Club for the first time in her career. The women's draw took a dramatic turn as two title contenders were either eliminated or extended on a day of shifting momentum at SW19.
Mertens Dismantles Rybakina
The Belgian Mertens defeated Rybakina 7-6(4), 6-1, repeatedly forcing the 2022 Wimbledon champion onto the defensive throughout a fiercely contested opening set. Mertens earned a break advantage twice in that set, and twice Rybakina clawed back to level terms — but when the set headed to a tiebreak, it was the Belgian who held her nerve, taking it 7-4 with a series of clean, aggressive strikes.
That tiebreak proved the turning point. Rybakina's usually dependable serve began to wobble, and Mertens capitalised ruthlessly, sweeping through the second set by winning five consecutive games and breaking serve twice to wrap up victory in just over an hour and a half.
Mertens' Road Ahead
Mertens will next face Marie Bouzkova in the Round of 16. Bouzkova earned her place in the fourth round after a marathon comeback against Liudmila Samsonova, recovering from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 in more than three hours on court. The all-European clash promises to be a closely contested affair.
Kostyuk's Career-Best Run Continues
Marta Kostyuk defeated Emma Navarro 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to secure her maiden Wimbledon fourth-round berth. The Ukrainian started sharply, using her movement and variety to disrupt Navarro's rhythm, breaking for 4-2 and riding that momentum to take the first set.
Navarro responded well in the second to force a decider, but Kostyuk produced her strongest tennis when it mattered most, reeling off a stunning sequence of 11 consecutive points in the final set to seal the match with authority. She converted four of five break-point chances and won 26 of 36 points on Navarro's second serve.
Kostyuk Closing in on Top 10
The victory extends a remarkable run for Kostyuk, who has now won 19 of her last 20 matches and improved her season record to 25-5. The Roland Garros semifinalist has climbed to No. 11 in the live rankings and is closing in on a maiden Top-10 position. Her fourth-round opponent will be either fellow Ukrainian Daria Snigur or American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger.
Point of View
Often underestimated on the big stage, has now shown she can dismantle a champion on a surface that should theoretically suit the bigger server. Meanwhile, Kostyuk's 19-1 run is not a hot streak — it is a sustained elevation in level that the rankings have yet to fully reflect. If her movement and second-serve aggression hold up in the second week, she could be the tournament's defining story.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Mertens vs Rybakina at Wimbledon 2025?
Elise Mertens defeated Elena Rybakina 7-6(4), 6-1 in the third round of Wimbledon 2025 on 4 July. Mertens took the opening-set tiebreak 7-4 and then dominated the second set, winning five consecutive games.
Who does Mertens play in the Wimbledon Round of 16?
Mertens will face Marie Bouzkova in the fourth round. Bouzkova reached this stage after a three-set comeback win over Liudmila Samsonova, prevailing 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 in over three hours.
How did Kostyuk beat Navarro at Wimbledon 2025?
Marta Kostyuk defeated Emma Navarro 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 in the third round. Kostyuk was particularly dominant in the final set, stringing together 11 consecutive points to close out the match. She converted four of five break-point opportunities.
What is Kostyuk's current form and ranking?
Kostyuk has won 19 of her last 20 matches and holds a 25-5 season record. She is currently ranked No. 11 in the live standings and is on the verge of breaking into the Top 10 for the first time.
Who does Kostyuk face in the Wimbledon fourth round?
Kostyuk's fourth-round opponent will be either fellow Ukrainian Daria Snigur or American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger, depending on the outcome of their third-round match.
