EMMA RADUCANU STEAMROLLS ELISE MERTENS – AND DELIGHTS IN MURRAY PAIRING

What a major statement of intent this was from Emma Raducanu, who swatted aside Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2 to move into the last 32. But there was something else too. A sense of demons being banished – and a level of tennis that signalled a zest to go deep into this Wimbledon fortnight.

The last time Raducanu played on Court One, as an 18-year-old in her first grand slam in 2021, she suffered nerves and a shortness of breath, which forced her to retire in her fourth-round match against Alja Tomljanovic. But against Mertens, a player ranked 33rd in the world, it was only the crowd that was left breathless. Raducanu really was that good.

There were two false notes to start with, as Raducanu first sent a forehand long and then double-faulted on the opening two points of the match. But after rattling off the next four points to hold serve she then got motoring.

A lengthy second game ended when Mertens clunked a drop shot into the net and soon the confidence was flowing from Raducanu’s veins and into her racket.

By the time she was 4-0 up she was jumping into forehands, and spraying winners from all over the court. While Mertens finally got on the board to make it 5-1, Raducanu soon wrapped up the first set after 38 minutes with another big serve.

It should be pointed out that Mertens is no mug. She is 28, has been ranked as high as 12 in the world, and usually finds a way to hang tough. But long before the end she was looking at her box looking for solutions that never came.

When Raducanu was asked whether this was the best tennis she had played for years, she had no time to reply before several people in the crowd shouted out: “Yes.” But she didn’t disagree with the assessment.

“Everyone else said yes,” she said. “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.”

She also said she was excited about playing mixed doubles with Andy Murray later in the tournament. “My doubles record is not the longest but I couldn’t say no,” she said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s a dream of mine since I was a young girl watching the Olympics.

“Andy’s a hero to us all, so for me it’s a real gift and a real honour that he asked me. I’m just super excited and hopefully I can learn a thing or two about coming to the net or something.”

But for now most of Raducanu’s focus will surely be on the singles. And already there are echoes of 2021 when she won the US Open. Back then she benefitted from a draw that opened up like a dream – and a similar scenario is already playing out at this year’s Wimbledon too.

The pre-tournament favourite Aryna Sablenka, who was in her quarter, has pulled out with injury. As the 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who Raducanu was due to play in the first round. With the eighth seed Qinwen Zheng and the 24th seed, Maria Andreeva – who were also in her quarter – going out, Raducanu knows she has an opportunity.

For now, though, Raducanu is taking it one day – and one game – at a time. “I think I played some really good tennis today,” she said. “I’m really pleased. I’m over the moon to be playing here and to extend my stay for one more day.”

2024-07-03T18:38:32Z dg43tfdfdgfd