WIMBLEDON CROWD IN RAPTURES OVER EMMA RADUCANU SHOT THAT HAS JO KONTA LAUGHING
Emma Raducanu produced an early contender for shot of the tournament in her first round win at Wimbledon on Monday. The 21-year-old defeated Renata Zarazua 7-6, 6-3 to progress to the next round.
It was a moment to savour for Raducanu, who had waited two years for a Wimbledon victory, having missed last year through injury. The former US Open winner was originally slated to face the number 22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova before the Russian withdrew due to illness, meaning Raducanu had to adjust her underdog mindset against 98th-ranked Zarazua.
However, the British superstar did not let that affect her performance and looked impressive on Centre Court, especially to win the penultimate point of the match. Zarazua seemed to have played an excellent drop shot but Raducanu rushed to the net and fired an inch-perfect reply to the other side of the court.
It produced a joyous response from the BBC's broadcast team, with the commentator declaring: "Well, if that's the penultimate point of the match it might be the best point of the match." He was sitting alongside former British tennis star Jo Konta, who responded: "I'm laughing here because finally she was able to use her hand skills."
The commentators were not the only ones left in awe as Raducanu sealed her place in the next round. Fans on social media were equally effusive, with one writing: What was that from Emma Raducanu? One of the shots of the tournament."
A second person said: "What a cross-court shot from Raducanu. 3 match points," while another tennis fan posted: "Emma Raducanu WHAT. A. SHOT." This was echoed by a fourth supporter: "What a shot Emma Raducanu! Looked good out there today!" A fifth tennis fan made a comparison with yesterday's Euro 2024 action: "Got the Tennis on my laptop and the football on the TV - that shot from Raducanu to give herself three match points was better than anything I've seen in the football game."
In her post-match interview, Raducanu explained that she had also been closely watching the football. England scraped through to the quarter-finals with a win over Slovakia in extra time on Sunday and Raducanu compared herself to Gareth Southgate's side.
"I was nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis, but at the end of the day you have to do whatever it takes to get over the line," she said. "Honestly, watching the football last night, it was winning ugly - it all counts."
Raducanu will next face Belgium's Elise Mertens on Wednesday. The 21-year-old will be hoping to go beyond the second round for the first time since 2021.
2024-07-02T08:31:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd