India, July 7 -- When power meets power, getting in the first blow can sometimes be the key. In a matchup of two of the hardest hitters on tour, that was Naomi Osaka's strategy against top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the most highly-awaited matchup of Wimbledon so far this year.

Sabalenka had beaten Osaka in all three of their previous matches this year - including at the same stage of the French Open last month.

"On the clay courts I felt like she was pushing me back a lot. I just tried to do it to her first," Osaka said. The tactics worked, and Osaka outslugged Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) to reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club for the first time on Sunday.

Osaka's pace and flat groundstrokes overwhelmed Sabalenka.

"Obviously we...