Wimbledon 2025: Aryna Sabalenka holds off inspired Emma Raducanu in thriller to reach last-16
The atmosphere was heightened by the closing of the roof and Raducanu provided those in attendance with plenty to get behind, as she went toe-to-toe with the world number one over two hours.
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Raducanu led 4-2 in the first set and 4-1 in the second but could not get over the line on either occasion, as Sabalenka booked her place in the last-16 with a 7-6 6-4 win.
"She played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard,' Sabalenka said.
'To get this win, I had to fight for every point like crazy. I'm super happy with the win of course. I'm super happy to see her healthy and back on track. I'm pretty sure that she will be back in the top 10 soon.'
Asked about the frenzied atmosphere, she added: "What an atmosphere. My ears are still hurting, honestly. It was super loud! Every time you were cheering her, I was trying to tell myself to just pretend that you were just cheering for me. I had goosebumps honestly, so thank you for the atmosphere."
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Raducanu was hugely impressive in beating 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round but this was a significant step up, against the top seed Sabalenka who has reached at least the quarter-finals of every Grand Slam she has played since the French Open three years ago.
The Briton, though, was up for the fight. So too were those in the stands, every winner greeted with a huge roar, the noise rivalled only by the increasingly animated shrieks coming from Sabalenka as the tension built.
Raducanu landed the first blow, breaking to lead 4-2, but a loose game then allowed Sabalenka to level things up, winning eight points in a row as the Briton struggled to adapt to the new balls and sent a succession of groundstrokes long.
Then came a truly remarkable passage of play, a game that lasted 13 minutes and brought seven set points for the world number one. On each occasion Raducanu held firm, her first serve repeatedly getting her out of trouble, as she somehow clawed her way to a hold.
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That appeared even more significant when Raducanu then broke to lead 6-5, but Sabalenka responded immediately to force a tie-break.
It ebbed and flowed, Sabalenka incredibly brave in saving set point with a perfect drop shot, and a well-judged volley sealed an epic set after 74 minutes.
That could have taken the wind out of Raducanu's sails but she came roaring back to lead 4-1. The crucial game then came as she had a break point to near enough seal the set, but a forehand went long and Sabalenka stayed in touch at 4-2.
That was the first of five games in a row that would take her to victory, even if she did threaten further late drama with a double fault on her second match point.
The third was converted, though, Raducanu's race finally run after a mammoth effort.
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