Emma Raducanu races into Wimbledon third round with throwback victory
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Not winning in an unattractive way? Definitely not happening here. Emma Raducanu flashed a big smile to the Court No 1 audience and gracefully made her way to the net after completely defeating Elise Mertens. While it may be premature to call this a classic win, considering Raducanu's limited experience in grand slam tournaments, her impressive 6-1 6-2 victory in just 75 minutes over the world No 33 brought back memories of her incredible run as an 18-year-old in New York three years ago.
Raducanu was pleased to come out on top in a tough first match on Monday, and the Wimbledon audience seemed to agree that it was a great performance. Just as she was about to explain how she played, a fan jumped in and described it as "ugly." However, another fan quickly countered with a shout of "beautiful!" The crowd seemed to side with the second fan's assessment. It's clear that Raducanu hasn't shown off her attacking skills so impressively since her big win at the US Open.
Opposite the unprepared Mertens, Raducanu went back to that strategy. While she consistently amazed her rivals by quickly winning sets in her remarkable grand slam victory, always giving her all, she showed glimpses of her top performance at Wimbledon.
Raducanu has reached the third round of a grand slam for the first time since winning the US Open. Despite missing opportunities in the past due to injury, she delivered a strong performance that was more satisfying than her previous best result in a major three years ago. Raducanu was thrilled to showcase her natural game on this stage once again. In a fitting twist, she will face Maria Sakkari in a rematch of their US Open semi-final match.
When Raducanu played at Wimbledon again on Monday, she had a hard time finding her groove and keeping a steady pace. But in her latest match, she showed how easy it is for her to play aggressively and smoothly when everything is working in her favor. Raducanu looked like she was effortlessly moving downhill during the game, and once she got an early lead, she never eased up on her determination. She ended the match with 22 impressive shots and mentioned that she felt liberated and inspired by Carlos Alcaraz, who played on Court No 1 before her.
"I had a great time,” Raducanu shared. “I believe that my true self shines the most when I am playing tennis. I am so happy with that. Watching Carlos play was really amazing for me, as we have a similar attitude and passion for the game."
Following the tough match with Renata Zarazua, Emma Raducanu was able to showcase her usual aggressive style of play against Elise Mertens. Mertens' powerful shots allowed Raducanu to control the pace of the baseline rallies, leading to a strong start for the 21-year-old. Raducanu managed to break Mertens' serve on the third attempt with a well-placed drop shot. Compared to Zarazua's defensive tactics in the previous round, Mertens provided a more favorable matchup for Raducanu, offering up numerous easy points in the first set.
Additionally, Raducanu's strategy while in the lead played a significant role in her success. She maintained her aggressive play style after obtaining the first break and continued to press for more. Raducanu managed to secure a second break by hitting a powerful forehand shot that elicited a thunderous response from the crowd, similar to when she won her first match on Centre Court. The first set was ultimately won by Raducanu, as she saved a break point with a backhand winner at the net before sealing the victory with an unstoppable serve.
Raducanu had a strong start in the second set, making a great angled shot after quickly moving to the net on the first point. Despite Mertens saving four break points in the second game, Raducanu kept pressuring her opponent. She didn't let missed chances get to her and instead dominated Mertens in the next game, finishing with a powerful backhand winner to break her serve.
After taking the lead once more, Raducanu continued to play aggressively. She solidified her advantage by winning the next game without dropping any points, showcasing her impressive skills with a well-placed volley at the net and a powerful forehand winner along the line. In a rhythm, Raducanu then displayed finesse by executing a drop shot to secure another break in the game, followed by a strong forehand winner that put her just one game away from winning the match. She finished off the game confidently, serving with the same level of assurance she had shown at the start. It seems that even Wimbledon is starting to have faith in her remarkable talent.
