Emma Raducanu lit up Centre Court on 2 July, turning heads with a commanding 6–3, 6–3 victory over 2023 Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová.Facing a two-time Grand Slam finalist, Raducanu produced arguably one of her strongest performances of the season, unleashing 18 winners and demonstrating her renewed aggression and focus. The win marked back‑to‑back third‑round appearances at SW19 — a feat she’s proud to match of her breakthrough 2021 campaign.
Dominant display
From the outset, Raducanu took control. She broke early in both sets, using sharp backhands and punishing returns to keep Vondroušová on the back foot. In the first set, she turned a tight 3–3 situation into a decisive 5–3 lead, capped off by a fluent service hold . The crowd’s energy peaked as she delivered a fearless backhand passing shot—one of the day’s highlight winners .
In set two, Raducanu continued her momentum, breaking again to go 3–1 ahead and efficiently closing out the match despite her opponent’s spirited resistance.Post-match, she commended the atmosphere, calling it “electric” and praised the Centre Court support.
Bird’s‑eye view of Raducanu’s resurgence
At 23 and ranked around world No. 40, Raducanu has rediscovered form this grass season under coach Mark Petchey, improving both her serve and return game. Notably, she’s won around 50% of her return games—some of the best stats at the tournament. Her backhand, which once drew criticism as a weakness, now delivers bullet winners and display‑piece moments.
Next up: showdown with Sabalenka
Raducanu’s reward is a monumental clash with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Miami Open champion and three‑time Grand Slam finalist.Sabalenka enters in ruthless form: she’s yet to drop a set at Wimbledon and boasts an 83% first‑serve win rate, with serves up to 118 mph Though Raducanu holds a 1‑12 career record against top‑8 players, she’s relishing the challenge.
Speaking ahead of the match, Raducanu reflected: “You want to play the best … if you want to win one of these tournaments.” The showdown is scheduled for Prime Time on Centre Court on Friday, 4 July.
The stakes and implications
For Raducanu, this isn’t just about winning — it’s about reclaiming belief. A strong performance—even in defeat—would send a statement: the former US Open champ isn’t content merely to exist among the elite; she’s out to challenge them. A win could energize her title hopes; even taking Sabalenka to the brink would underscore her return to peak performance under pressure.
No matter the result, Raducanu’s statement win over Vondroušová has reaffirmed that when she’s playing her best, she’s very much a contender. And as she prepares to face the world No. 1, Wimbledon and the British fans are watching — and hoping — for something extraordinary.
