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BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Can Raducanu bridge gap to world's best Sabalenka?
Let's not get carried away just Wednesday, Emma Raducanu produced one of her best performances "in a long time" to beat 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova and move into the Wimbledon third backing up that victory to reach the last 16 will probably require an even better display from the British number one on in her way is Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and overwhelming favourite for the women's singles has made sound progress to climb back into the world's top 40 this season, but the evidence has shown there is still a clear gulf between the 22-year-old and the leading of her Grand Slam appearances this season were ended in ruthless fashion by five-time major champion Iga Swiatek - Raducanu winning only one game at the Australian Open and three at the French Open in a pair of demoralising Gauff, who went on to win the Roland Garros title, also proved too much of a step up in class for Raducanu on the Rome challenge for Raducanu is discovering how she can test the very best."I think I need more weapons. I think I need to be able to hit the ball with better quality more often," Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, told BBC Sport before facing Sabalenka."I think I need to serve better. I think I need to hit better on the move. There are a lot of things I need to do better."Beating a top player like Marketa, who has won this tournament, was obviously a really positive thing for me and a really good marker."But I need to bridge the gap to the very, very top." Playing passively could spell danger With her powerful serve and lights-out baseline game, Sabalenka has become the dominant player on the WTA Tour over the past 18 blistering nature of her shots translates to any surface and is why she has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the past 10 Grand Slams she has Wimbledon, where Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals on her most recent two appearances, the faster courts suit her first-strike means she uses her serve and return of serve to quickly get on top of her opponents in the statistical insight tool calculates 39% of Sabalenka's shots are attacking, compared to an average of 24% in the women's draw."The last few years she's just been so consistent and solid," said Raducanu, who made the fourth round at the All England Club in 2021 and 2024."I just have to try to control my side as best as possible and, I guess, be smart."But, at the same time, I need to take my chances if I have any because I can't play passive against her."She can take the racquet out of your hand and just dominate if you give her that chance." But patience is also required After being outclassed by Swiatek and Gauff on hard and clay courts, Raducanu feels the Wimbledon grass represents her best chance of pushing teaming up with coach Mark Petchey earlier this year, Raducanu has also looked to use her serve and forehand more statistical analysis also shows she is more attacking than average in the women's draw - with 27% of her shots classed that way by she knows she cannot be "overly aggressive" and needs to use craft return also needs to be on point against one of the best servers in the game. The sliced backhand will be an important tool to take the pace out of Sabalenka's athleticism can also help Raducanu be more of a counter-puncher against the Belarusian and potentially draw mistakes."Raducanu's defence against Vondrousova was outstanding, albeit Vondrousova doesn't attack as much or with the same firepower as Sabalenka," said TennisViz's Phil Newbury."The slice could be key here. Sabalenka's 'steal score' - which calculates how often a player has won the point when they are defending during it - was just below the draw average in her second round."It suggests if Raducanu can force her way into Sabalenka's defence, there could be positive rewards for her." Home comforts could help Raducanu feels she has a better chance of beating one of the leading players at Wimbledon than at the other well as being comfortable on the grass, feeling "at home" is helping her play with more a tight-knit and trusted group around her is a key factor in the progress she has made this is a trusted ally who used to coach her as a teenager, while long-time confidante Jane O'Donoghue continues to provide support while on a career break from her finance has also been able to hang out with friends at Wimbledon and was seen taking selfies with them on the All England Club balcony after beating Vondrousova."I had the same sort of routine last year. I just really cherish these moments because we know how hard it is week to week playing on the tour," she said."When we're here in this sort of environment feeling at home, it's so special."
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Former Olympian Fatima Whitbread's message to young people
"Don't let your start define your end" was former Olympian Fatima Whitbread's message to young people at an art display for those receiving mental health support. The javelin thrower attended the launch of an exhibition at the Horton Centre in Epsom put on by Mindworks, which provides specialist support in event showcases art work by young people who have suffered trauma or been through the care system, as well as their parents and who grew up in care having been abandoned as a baby, said it was "wonderful" to see the work created by the young people. She said finding something you loved was really important, and that sport had been her "saviour" as an 11-year-old when she watched Mary Peters win the women's pentathlon in the 1972 Olympics."Giving a young person hope is really important because it's that that keeps them focused in what they want to do," she added that finding a passion could give young people a sense of belonging, the opportunity to share what they loved to do and taught them life skills."They can engage with people in the community, can share with likeminded people, they can have good role models that can help them when they start to flourish and grow," she told BBC Radio Surrey."Don't let your start define your end, it doesn't have to."At the end of the day it's all about the journey of learning, and experience of self growth, learning what you can do and what your limitations are." Sara May, 18, performed her own songs at the launch event, which she described as "really welcoming"."Everyone listening and telling me their experiences really helped me to understand how they took my music and how it made them feel," she exhibition, now in its third year, is being held until 11 July in what was the chapel at Epsom's "cluster" of five psychiatric hospitals. Art therapist Rebecca Robertson said art gave young people a different medium that was "slightly less directive" than having to talk face-to-face about trauma."It's very rare as a child or young person that you get the opportunity to exhibit in a public space, such a beautiful space, and to get them to express their thoughts and feelings on paper," she said."It's wonderful and it's so moving."Whitbread founded Fatima's UK Campaign to call for improvements to the care system and ensure children in care are "seen, heard and valued"."Every child deserves the right to a safe and happy childhood," she added.
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Final farewell at Celtic Park for Lisbon Lion John Clark
Mourners will gather in Glasgow later for the funeral of Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion John has invited fans to gather at Celtic Park to say a "final farewell to one of the club's greatest ever servants".Clark, who died last week at the age of 84, won several major honours in more than 300 games for the Parkhead greatest achievement came in 1967, when Celtic defeated Inter Milan in Lisbon to become the first British team to lift the European Cup. In a statement, Celtic FC said: "John Clark was a Lisbon Lion, a cornerstone of our greatest ever team and a dedicated servant to Celtic. "We come together to honour his incredible legacy."Clark's funeral mass will be held at midday at St Mary's Church in Glasgow's Calton area. It will also broadcast live for fans on the club's YouTube the funeral cortege will travel down The Celtic Way outside the stadium at about 13:15. Clark, who made his Celtic debut in 1959, served the club for over four returned to Parkhead after his playing career to work in the youth set became assistant to Billy McNeil, his defensive partner during the quadruple-winning 1966-67 season, at Aberdeen then at also managed Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde but again went back to Celtic, serving as kit man for almost 20 tribute after his death, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: "John's continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players. "Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club."
