Rybakina, Swiatek upsets leave Barbora Krejcikova as only former Wimbledon champ in draw

We say it over and over how competitive women’s tennis is, and examples keep coming to prove it. On Saturday, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, the 2022 and 2025 Wimbledon champions were defeated by Elise Mertens and Alexandra Eala, respectively.

Mertens and Eala have registered big wins before but getting into the second week of Wimbledon at the expense of Rybakina and Swiatek is shocking. Do they have what it takes to continue the run into next weekend?

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That leaves Barbora Krejcikova as the only Wimbledon champion left in the draw. The 2024 champion was injured much of last year and could not make a deep run in defense of her title. Krejcikova is no one title wonder. She also won the 2021 French Open, Olympic gold in doubles at Tokyo, and has seven doubles and three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles

MORE: Serena, Venus withdraw from Wimbledon doubles

Open draw favors the Anismova vs. Keys winner

Rybakina’s section of the draw has been blown wide open.

Amanda Anisimova is the highest seed left, at sixth. She plays Madison Keys.

The winner of that match will face the winner of the Linda Noskova and Sorana Cirstea match.

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The quarterfinalist who advances from that group will face either the 21st seed Marie Bouzkokva or 23rd seeded Mertens in the quarterfinal.

MORE: Emma Navarro health issue is revealed at Wimbledon

Will we crown a maiden champion

Krejcikova, Keys, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka are the only Grand Slam champions in the draw.

Will we continue the trend of the 2026 French Open and crown a maiden Grand Slam champion, or will one of these ladies hoist the trophy in a week?

It is so unpredictable; no one can know.

Watch Wimbledon on ESPN each morning and replays and analysis on Tennis Channel in the evenings between now and July 12.

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