Emma Raducanu, the British number one, showcased her finest form in recent memory as she overpowered 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in a commanding straight-sets victory. The 22-year-old secured a 6-3, 6-3 win in just 82 minutes on Centre Court, setting up a highly anticipated clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.
Raducanu, the former US Open champion, described her performance as one of her best, acknowledging the challenge posed by her opponent. "I think today I played really, really well. There were some points that I have no idea how I turned around," she said in her on-court interview. "I knew playing Marketa was going to be an incredibly difficult match. She has won this tournament, which is a huge achievement. I'm really pleased with how I played my game the whole way through."
The victory marked Raducanu's third appearance in the Wimbledon third round, equaling her best run at the Championships. Her win came on a day of surprises, as 2024 runner-up Jasmine Paolini became the fourth top-five seed to exit the women's draw, falling to Kamilla Rakhimova. This is only the second time in the Open era that just one of the top five players—Sabalenka—has advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam women's singles event.
Looking ahead to her match against Sabalenka, Raducanu remained pragmatic. "She is number one in the world right now, so dominant on the tour and has won literally everything, so it is going to be a really difficult match," she said. "I'm just so happy with how I performed, and all I can do is control my side of the court as best as possible."
Raducanu's performance against Vondrousova was a testament to her resilience and skill. After a strong start, she secured a crucial break in the sixth game with a stunning passing shot. Although Vondrousova responded immediately, Raducanu regained her composure and broke again to take the first set. She maintained her intensity in the second set, breaking early and holding her serve decisively to seal the victory.
The win not only highlights Raducanu's return to peak form but also sets the stage for an exciting showdown with Sabalenka, as she continues her quest for glory at Wimbledon 2025.
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