Emma Raducanu fights hard but Aryna Sabalenka ends her Wimbledon dream
But Sabalenka, the world No 1, has long grown accustomed to dealing with that massive target on her back, which so often spurs her opponents to perform far above their usual level. In the face of a grand slam champion playing some of her very best tennis, Sabalenka elevated her game to even greater heights in the decisive moments, crushing Raducanu's hopes of a statement win by closing out an intense, unforgettable tussle with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win to reach the fourth round.
After coming so close to truly disrupting such a special opponent, Raducanu's first thoughts will be of her painful disappointment after she was unable to take the many chances she brilliantly earned. Raducanu served for the first set at 6-5, then she held a set point at 6-5 in the tiebreak. In the second set, Raducanu then held a break point for a 5-1 second-set lead. But every time she established a lead, Sabalenka reeled her back in.
Still, her career against the elite has largely been a series of disappointing performances bereft of confidence and quality. Here Raducanu rose to the occasion spectacularly at the urging of her home crowd, demonstrating the full capabilities of her well-rounded game, her improved serve and forehand, and her heart as she pushed Sabalenka hard for two hours.
As Raducanu walked out on to Centre Court far later than expected on Friday evening, her eyes scanning all corners of the stadium, she steadied herself for one of the most significant occasions of her career. With the exception of her US Open triumph nearly four years ago, Raducanu has still not contested many matches with the emotional significance of facing the world No 1 at Wimbledon on home soil.
Throughout this year, Raducanu has performed well against lower-ranked players, rebuilding her ranking by defeating opponents she is clearly superior to. The best players in the world, however, have usually laid Raducanu's weaknesses bare, particularly exposing her lack of firepower.
From the beginning, Raducanu made it clear that she was ready, imposing maximum pressure on Sabalenka with her forehand aggression, offensive returning and her excellent serving. With the crowd erupting after every winning point from Raducanu, the constant pressure she imposed finally yielded the opening break. Even when Sabalenka predictably found her way, pulling the set back to 5-4, Raducanu elevated her game to greater heights.
With the set seemingly slipping away, Raducanu made an incredible last stand on her serve 4-5. Despite how Sabalenka had taken control of the baseline, she found a way back. Almost every time she stared down a set point, Raducanu responded with a quality first or second serve. After facing seven set points, Raducanu pulled off an incredible service hold to level at 5-5. With the momentum guiding her forward and Centre Court in a state of ferment, Raducanu snatched a break to lead 6-5 in the set.
Once again, Sabalenka rose to the occasion, immediately retrieving the break to force a first-set tie-break. At the end of the tie-break, with everything on the line, it seemed like Raducanu's efforts might finally be rewarded as Sabalenka botched an easy forehand drive volley and Raducanu arrived at 6-5. Instead Sabalenka demonstrated her greatness and her evolving game. After saving Raducanu's only set point with a delicate, inch-perfect drop shot, she swept forward to the net and closed out an unforgettable 75-minute first set with a drop-volley winner.
At the end of such an intense, yet fruitless set of tennis, it would have been reasonable for Raducanu's intensity to drop considering her unfamiliarity with competing at this level. Instead, she was there for every point from the beginning of set two, serving well and smartly judging her moments to unleash her forehand. It was Raducanu who broke first for a 3-1 lead before generating a break point for a 5-1 lead. Once again, she was reeled back in by the world No 1, whose candidacy for a first Wimbledon title has only been strengthened by the mental fortitude she showed in front of a hostile crowd.
Even in defeat, this can still represent a significant moment for Raducanu. Over the past four years, she has struggled badly with the pressure that followed such a shocking ascension, the incessant, bad-faith criticism has been painful to navigate and at times her own decision-making has only compounded her issues. This performance is a reflection of her positive work in recent months and the undeniable improvements to her game. Raducanu has finally shown that she is capable of matching the best players in the world. The next step is beating them.
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