Wimbledon 2026: Elena Rybakina knocked out in third round by Elise Mertens
Wimbledon's women's draw is upended as defending champion Iga Swiatek and former winner Elena Rybakina exit in the third round.
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The brief
Major upsets have occurred during the third round of the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Coverage identifies that defending champion Iga Swiatek lost to Alexandra Eala, while former champion Elena Rybakina was defeated by Elise Mertens. Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and is ranked No. 2, was eliminated as Mertens advanced to the fourth round.
Reporting from USA Today and Yahoo Sports characterizes the outcomes as significant shocks to the bracket. WTA Tennis and The New York Times detail Mertens' victory over Rybakina, while WPXI and Manistee News Advocate note the specific defeat of the defending champion Swiatek by Eala. The results confirm a reshuffling of the tournament's remaining contenders.
Mertens proceeds to the fourth round following her win, while the early exits of both top seeds signal a volatile competition.
Synthesized by PULSE from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 90d ago.
Quick answers
Who eliminated defending champion Iga Swiatek?
Alexandra Eala defeated Iga Swiatek in the third round.
Who beat Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon 2026?
Elise Mertens defeated Elena Rybakina in the third round.
What round did these upsets occur in?
Both losses took place during the third round of the tournament.
Coverage (7)
- Defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek loses in 3rd round to Alexandra Eala WPXI · 92d ago
- Wimbledon shockers: Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek upset in third round USA Today · 92d ago
- Defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek loses in 3rd round to Alexandra Eala Manistee News Advocate · 92d ago
- Mertens stuns former champion Rybakina to reach Wimbledon fourth round WTA Tennis · 92d ago
- Elena Rybakina, Wimbledon champion in 2022, stunned by Elise Mertens in third round The New York Times · 92d ago
- Wimbledon: Elise Mertens beats No. 2 Elena Rybakina, Alex Eala knocks out defending champion Iga Świątek Yahoo Sports · 92d ago
- Wimbledon 2026: Elena Rybakina knocked out in third round by Elise Mertens BBC · 92d ago
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