Raducanu Falls to Sabalenka in an Emotion-Filled Match at Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu put in a brave performance, although she didn’t achieve victory, falling to Aryna Sabalenka in the third round with a score of 7-6(6), 6-4.
Wimbledon fans have witnessed great night duels starring the British local favorites. Andy Murray has provided unforgettable moments under the closed roof of the center court throughout his outstanding career.
On Friday, Raducanu was the one to provide the drama, leading 4-2 in the first set and again 4-1 in the second.
The tennis player kept her Belarusian opponent on tenterhooks with her impressive game, which earned her a break in the fifth game, to the delight of the 15,000 spectators who celebrated each point of Raducanu and applauded each mistake of Sabalenka.
Although Sabalenka, the only survivor among the top six female seeds, recovered the break, she was stunned to squander seven set and break points at 5-4 with Raducanu’s serve, who managed to get out of the problem.
In the eighth attempt, in the tiebreak, Sabalenka silenced the crowd with a volley to secure the set, receiving only a light applause.
Raducanu, who has spent some time in tennis after her notable victory at the US Open in 2021, wanted to show that she was back to her best, following her victory over Marketa Vondrousova, Wimbledon 2023 champion.
When Raducanu led 4-1 in the second set, and was a point away from taking a 5-1 lead, it seemed she could achieve one of the most improbable victories against an opponent who has contested the last three Grand Slam finals.
However, it wasn’t like that, as Sabalenka stepped up her game to win the last five games and extinguish Raducanu’s hopes of reaching the fourth round for the third time. Raducanu missed a service return on match point.
The top seed will face Elise Mertens of Belgium in their next match.
