Elena Rybakina, the tournament's second seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion, fell in straight sets to Belgium's Elise Mertens in the third round. The match ended 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 on Court One, marking the highest‑seed exit so far in the event. Her loss repeats last year's pattern where she failed to reach the second week, underscoring a slump at the grass court after a January Australian Open title.

The defeat keeps world number one Aryna Sabalenka firmly in position, as her ranking will not drop regardless of how far the Belarusian advances. Mertens, meanwhile, earns a quarter‑final place against 21st seed Marie Bouzkova, who recently rallied to beat Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.

Mertens, 30, shared her pleasure in the win, noting the momentum from the first set and her confidence after multiple 40‑alls. She praised Rybakina’s past Wimbledon success, calling her a tough opponent and reflecting on nerves and effort to keep a relaxed smile during the match.

The loss not only rattles Rybakina’s grass‑court pedigree but also highlights the depth of competition at Wimbledon, where lower‑seed players can swiftly overturn expectations. Mertens’ victory cements her status as a formidable contender heading into the later stages of the championship.