Emma Raducanu breezed past Belgium’s Elise Mertens to join fellow Briton Sonay Kartal in the Wimbledon third round.
Raducanu, a former British number one who received a wildcard in her return to the Championships following injury problems last year, struck the ball confidently and clinically in a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
It marks her first appearance in the third round of a Grand Slam competition since winning the 2021 US Open as an 18-year-old qualifier.
Raducanu’s remarkable triumph came just hours after 22-year-old qualifier Kartal defeated France’s Clara Burel in three sets.
Kartal, ranked 298th in the world, won 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to become the first home player to reach the third round of Wimbledon this year.
She will face US Open champion Coco Gauff, who defeated Anca Todoni 6-2, 6-1.
From ‘winning ugly’ to winning pretty
If Raducanu’s first-round triumph was “winning ugly”, her overwhelming win over 33rd-ranked Mertens was stunning.
The 21-year-old’s clean ball-striking improved from the triumph over Mexican fortunate loser Renata Zarazua.
Raducanu started the match with a nervous return and a double fault, but she soon took control.
Serving and outpowering Mertens from the baseline was important.
Raducanu, ranked 135th in the world, crushed the first set on Court One to the delight of home supporters and continued her form in the second.
Missing the clay-court French Open to prepare for Wimbledon grass was smart.
Raducanu entered Wimbledon in good form after beating world number five Jessica Pegula in the Nottingham semi-finals and Eastbourne quarter-finals.
Her demolition of Mertens delighted the British crowd.
In her on-court interview, some raucous fans shouted ‘yes’ when asked if it was her best play in years.
Raducanu laughed: “Everyone agreed!
“I played really good tennis and I knew all the hard yards would lead to something and I am just happy I can reap some of the rewards here in Wimbledon. 145-years old Wimbledon has updated their rules.
Raducanu faces Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari in the last 32 on Friday, almost three years after beating her to reach the US Open final.
When queried about the General Election vote, Emma Raducanu gives a surprising response.
Emma Raducanu will not vote in the UK elections on July 4 while competing at Wimbledon 2024. Raducanu said she was ignorant of a 4 July general election and planned a “lie-in” on Thursday.
Her answer regarding whether she would vote at Wimbledon was “No”.
I believe I’ll sleep in and then practice. Honestly, I didn’t know tomorrow was. “Thanks for telling me,” said the 21-year-old after reaching the All England Club third round.
When Raducanu won the US Open in 2021, she made history by becoming the first British woman player to win a Grand Slam title in 44 years. This accomplishment catapulted Raducanu to the forefront of the tennis world.
In addition to Raducanu, another British player named Katie Boulter, who is scheduled to play in the third round of Wimbledon on Thursday, has also stated that she does not intend to vote.
“For the time being, I’m going to focus solely on the tennis. She stated, “I don’t see myself as someone who is going to get involved in anything other than tennis on that particular day for the time being.” I will cross that bridge when I arrive at my destination.
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