- Raducanu ran out 6-3, 6-3 winner on Centre Court against the 2023 champion
- She played the game at her pace and never really looked in danger in the match
- Other top seeds have dropped throughout the opening three days of competition
Emma Raducanu hailed the ‘electric’ Centre Court crowd as she surged into the third round of Wimbledon – setting up a blockbuster clash with top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
The British No 1 whipped the home fans into a frenzy as she powered past 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 6-3 with one of her best-ever displays.
There were two breaks for the Brit in the first set, and she did so again at the second time of asking in the second.
The game was played at Raducanu’s pace. With a smile on her face, she waved to the home crowd after on Centre Court as she was cheered off – seemingly, she is back to her best.
And she will have to be at her best in round three later this week, because she will take on tournament favourite and world No 1 Sabalenka.
It will be a daunting task for the British No 1 but she can take great encouragement from her performance here, with Vondrousova not just the 2023 winner but also a player in hot form after beating Sabalenka and Madison Keys to win the warm-up title in Berlin.
Emma Raducanu eased into the third round at Wimbledon with a straight sets win on Wednesday evening
She toppled 2023 champion Czechia’s Marketa Vondrousova with a 6-3, 6-3 victory
Vondrousova had no answer to Raducanu’s play – with the Brit seemingly back to her best
She will take on world No 1 – and favourite to win the tournament – Aryna Sabalenka in the third round later this week
And Raducanu beamed: ‘The crowd was amazing. It was so electric. I really felt a big support.
‘There’s no better feeling than winning here at Wimbledon on Centre Court. It was really special.
‘That was one of the best matches I’ve played in a long time, which I’m very proud of. I feel amazing.’
With a coach she trusts implicitly and her best friends watching on from the stands, Raducanu is in her happy place at the All England Club.
‘I think today I played really, really well,’ said Raducanu. ‘There were some points I have no idea how I turned around.
‘I knew playing Marketa it was going to be an extremely difficult match. She’s won this tournament and it’s a huge, huge achievement. I’m so happy with how I focused and put my game on the court.
‘I’m just so happy I get to play another match here. (Sabalenka) is number one in the world, so dominant, has won literally everything. I’m just so happy how I performed. I guess there’s no pressure at all on me.’
On facing Sabalenka, she added: ‘There is no pressure on me at all in the next round. She is the No1 in the world right now and so dominant on the Tour. She has won literally everything.
‘It is going to be a really difficult match, but all I can do is control my side of the court as best as possible.’
