Wimbledon 2024: Emma Raducanu storms past Elise Mertens in statement second round win

Emma Raducanu is doing very well at Wimbledon, winning against Elise Mertens with a score of 6-1, 6-2. She is now in the third round of the tournament.

The young athlete, who missed Wimbledon last year due to surgeries on their wrist and ankle, has made a strong comeback this year. They won their second-round match in a quick time of just one hour and 17 minutes.

Now, she is ready to play against the 9th ranked player in the world, Maria Sakkari, in the upcoming round. The two players last competed against each other during Raducanu's incredible journey to winning the 2021 US Open championship. In the semi-finals, the British player secured a strong victory with a score of 6-1, 6-4.

"It's an incredible feeling," Raducanu expressed following her victory on Wednesday night. "I feel really embraced here and to be honest, Court One is my preferred court."

I am feeling really happy about my performance in tennis today. I am ecstatic to continue playing here for one more day. The noise level was high with the roof closed, and I am thankful to everyone for their support and making the atmosphere lively.

Raducanu's serve has been dominant lately and today was no exception. She won 76% of points when serving first and only faced two break points, which she easily defended. In contrast, she created 14 break point opportunities against her Belgian rival, showcasing her strong performance on the court.

The young British player controlled the game from the back of the court, hitting precise shots into every corner of the playing area. They made an impressive 22 shots that couldn't be returned before easily winning the match, causing the excited British fans to jump up from their seats in joy.

"I just concentrated on my own needs," she said. "I believe I managed that successfully today, as I took care of my responsibilities and did what I needed to do."

Maintaining focus and creating a personal bubble of concentration is crucial when trying to stay on track and perform well in a match like that.

Raducanu is hoping to continue her singles journey into the second week of the Championships. In addition, she will also be making her mixed doubles debut, partnering with a renowned tennis legend.

the most highly anticipated matchups of the tournament. Raducanu and her partner have been training together for weeks in preparation for this tournament, and their chemistry on the court is undeniable. Both players have shown incredible skill and determination in their respective careers, and fans are eager to see how they will perform as a team. With Raducanu's recent success at the US Open and her partner's experience and skill on the court, this mixed doubles partnership is sure to be a force to be reckoned with. Stay tuned for updates on their progress throughout the tournament.

"I don't have much experience in doubles matches, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity," Raducanu explained. "It's a dream come true for me, something I've wanted since I was a little girl watching the Olympics."

Andy is a real role model for all of us, so I feel incredibly grateful and honored that he invited me to play with him. It's a moment that I couldn't pass up. I'm really looking forward to playing in mixed doubles with him and hopefully picking up some tips on approaching the net." She chuckled.

Raducanu is accompanied by 22-year-old Sonay Kartal, who recently defeated the 45th ranked player Clara Burel to advance to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her professional career.

In the meantime, Lily Miyazaki's second round game against Daria Kasatkina has been rescheduled for tomorrow because of the rain postponements.

The latest news and scores from Wimbledon Championships

Stay up to date with the most recent outcomes and news from the British athletes participating in The Championships, Wimbledon from July 1st to July 14th.