Emma Raducanu really put on a show at Wimbledon yesterday, and has set up a blockbuster third-round clash sure to enthral centre court again.
Having come into the tournament in fine form, reaching the semi-finals in Nottingham and the quarter-finals in Eastbourne, there was quiet hope that she might translate those performances onto the big stage.
However, there were also reservations over her readiness, having missed last year’s event through injury, and only reached the second round the year before.
Yet already she has surpassed that benchmark already, and given her form, Raducanu will and should have expectations of continuing to excite the home crowd into the second week of this Grand Slam.
Emma Raducanu makes claim about Carlos Alcaraz
Speaking in her post-match press conference after comfortably dispatching Elise Mertens, Raducanu spoke on what a special occasion it was for her.
After all, winning with such ease on Wimbledon‘s centre court, backed by a vocal British crowd… does it get much better for a Great British tennis player?
And, the 21-year-old even noted that Carlos Alcaraz’s mere presence elevated her excitement even more, as she claimed: ‘I would say that I enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun. I think when my character shows through my tennis is when I played my best, so I’m really pleased with that.
‘Honestly me following Carlos [Alcaraz] it was pretty cool to watch him play because he has the same sort of demeanour and enjoyment of the sport, so it’s good to follow and watch.’
Her fine showing followed the news that Raducanu will also play mixed doubles with Andy Murray at Wimbledon too. A great day all around!
Emma Raducanu is cruising at Wimbledon
Having somewhat stumbled through her first-round clash with lucky loser Renata Zarazúa, only winning the first set on a tiebreak, Raducanu was quick to assuage fears in her next clash.
After all, had she backed that win up with another unconvincing performance, questions would have been asked whether she won or not.
Fortunately, she did win, and she did so in style.
Facing the number one doubles player in the world posed a tricky proposition against the Belgian who Raducanu would have known wanted to come to the net and dictate the play in such a way.
However, with powerful groundstrokes and an intensity that just did not relent, the Great British talent crushed her opponent, winning 6-1, 6-1 to set up a third-round clash with Maria Sakkari.
A completely new proposition, facing her first top ten opponent since getting her first-ever top ten win just last week against Jessica Pegula, Raducanu will hope to conjure up some of the magic that helped her beat the Greek star in 2021 on her way to the US Open final.
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