Raducanu had managed to strike first against Maria Sakkari, the Greek ninth seed, and was rewarded for her attacking intent on break points. This defensive lob, though, on the stretch, felt a step too far, but as it dropped inside the baseline and Centre Court erupted, it became the moment that encapsulated this stunning 6-2 6-3 win. Raducanu is bringing the magic of New York to SW19.
She is having fun, too, and as Raducanu returned to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time since her big breakthrough in 2021, there were clear parallels to that US Open title. For a start, her beaten opponent Sakkari had been vanquished in the semi-finals as Raducanu captured that sensational grand slam triumph as an 18-year-old wildcard. Three years on, Raducanu brought the same fearlessness to Centre Court, and now similar possibilities are opening up ahead. On Sunday, she will face Lulu Sun from New Zealand, the world 123, for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I think today was really up there with the most fun I have had on a tennis court, I really enjoyed every single moment," Raducanu said. "I'm most proud of how focused and determined I was in every single point, in every single moment. Maria [Sakkari] is a top 10 opponent. In a way, I came in with a free swing. But she is so tough, she has amazing weapons, I knew I had to battle. I tried to not let the scoreline affect me. You just have to play every point like it could be your last."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hull discovers the highs and lows of Test matches
England 325, Sri Lanka 211-5, visitors are 114 runs behind
Ron Yeats, Anfield legend and 'colossus', dies at 86
Ron Yeats, the defensive “colossus” who captained Liverpool when they emerged as an English football powerhouse in the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.
Winning start for Carsley as Rice and Grealish deliver
After all the focus on the soundtrack, Lee Carsley’s first game as England manager was certainly loaded with narrative.
Thousands take to streets over Barnier appointment
French left says move by Emmanuel Macron a 'power grab'
Calls for probe into killing of US-Turkish volunteer
Israeli forces shot dead Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in West Bank
Iran has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia, says US
The United States has informed allies that it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Poking the bear: Ukraine's attack on Russia could sink
The daring invasion of Kursk began as an unlikely triumph but keeping a firm grip on occupied land is much tougher
The headless body murder haunting police 50 years on
In 1974, the body of an unidentified woman was found on farmland in Norfolk. Despite efforts to solve the case, the killer was never found. Barney Davis hears the theories
National Trust may go half vegan for net zero boost
The National Trust is considering making half of its cafe food vegan as part of a commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
McKellen took knighthood through lack of 'principle'
Sir Ian McKellen has explained why he accepted a knighthood after considering turning down the offer.