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Belgium's Elise Mertens celebrates winning against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles third round tennis match on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)GLYN KIRK via Getty Images

Belgium's Elise Mertens knocked out Wimbledon No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina in straight sets on Saturday, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1.

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The win puts the No. 25 Mertens into the fourth round for the second straight year and third time since 2022. It's the second straight Wimbledon that Rybakina, the 2022 singles champion, has been unable to get out of the third round.

Heading into Saturday's matchup, Rybakina held a 7-1 lifetime advantage over Mertens in singles play. They last met in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January, with Rybakina winning in straight sets, which was her sixth straight win over Mertens.

After needing a first-set tiebreak, Mertens did not let her opponent have a chance to steal the second set. The Belgian, who has not advanced past the fourth round in her Wimbledon singles career, won the break points and serve points battle as Rybakina struggled with unforced errors throughout the match.

Mertens will face No. 21 Marie Bouzková on Monday.

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