The rise of the most unexpected Wimbledon quarterfinalists

WIMBLEDON, England -- Elise Mertens didn't know if she would ever reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club.

She made the fourth round on three previous occasions but never could reach the last eight. It had been six long years since she had reached the quarters at any major in singles, and even longer since her lone semifinal appearance at the 2018 Australian Open. Now, at 30, she knew her window was closing.

But after she pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament against No. 2 seed and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in the third round, 7-6 (4), 6-1, she let herself dream. And two days later, she defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-4 to make the quarterfinals.