Under the floodlit Centre Court roof at Wimbledon 2025, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced a formidable challenge from British star Emma Raducanu in a gripping third-round encounter on July 4. The Belarusian, a three-time Grand Slam champion, was pushed to her limits by the 22-year-old home favorite, ultimately prevailing 7-6(6), 6-4 in a two-hour epic that captivated the 15,000-strong crowd. Sabalenka’s resilience and power shone through as she overcame deficits in both sets to advance to the fourth round, keeping her quest for a maiden Wimbledon title alive. “She played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard,” Sabalenka said, acknowledging Raducanu’s spirited performance. “To get this win, I had to fight for every point like crazy.”
Raducanu, ranked No. 40 and fresh off a commanding 6-3, 6-3 upset over 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova, entered the match buoyed by home support and newfound confidence. “I think that was one of the best matches I’ve played in a long time,” she had said after her second-round win, a sentiment that carried into her electric start against Sabalenka. The 2021 US Open champion broke early for a 3-2 lead in the first set, her aggressive returns and fluid grass-court movement troubling the top seed. With the Centre Court roof closed due to the late 8:00 PM start, the electric atmosphere amplified every point, as Raducanu’s winners drew roars from the partisan crowd. “What an atmosphere,” Sabalenka remarked post-match, admitting, “My ears are still hurting, honestly.”
Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon 2024 due to a shoulder injury, faced early pressure, saving a break point in the opening game. Despite falling behind, her powerful serve—39% of her shots classified as attacking, well above the tournament’s 24% average—kept her in contention. At 5-4, Raducanu fended off seven set points, showcasing resilience honed under coach Mark Petchey. She broke Sabalenka to serve for the set at 6-5, but errors, including a wild forehand, allowed Sabalenka to force a tiebreak. There, Sabalenka’s nerveless drop shots and a crucial stop volley at 7-6 sealed the set, silencing the crowd. “I’ve had a lot of experience in the past where I completely lost myself in this atmosphere,” Sabalenka reflected. “I was just telling myself, ‘Do not make the same mistake.’”
The second set saw Raducanu surge to a 4-1 lead, with a break point for 5-1, as her forehand, rated 8.2 by Wimbledon’s shot quality analysis, found its mark. Yet Sabalenka’s relentless power shifted the momentum, as she reeled off five straight games. “I don’t think I’ve really had a loss like this in a long time, where I maybe had chances and didn’t take them,” Raducanu said, her disappointment tempered by pride. “It’s hard to take a loss like that, but I’ve pushed Aryna, who is a great champion, so I have to be proud.” Sabalenka sealed the match with a massive serve, converting her third match point as Raducanu’s return sailed into the net.
This victory, Sabalenka’s 46th of 2025 and her 15th in 17 Grand Slam matches this season, underscores her dominance. With top seeds like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula out, she faces Elise Mertens next, eyeing a third straight Wimbledon quarter-final. Raducanu, despite the defeat, showed flashes of her US Open-winning form, her 50% return game win rate among the tournament’s best. “I’m just so happy to be through this difficult round,” Sabalenka said, while Raducanu, consoled by a post-match Kit-Kat, vowed to build on this performance. Social media buzzed with praise, with Nick Kyrgios calling it “one of the best matches of the championships.” As Wimbledon’s women’s draw remains wide open, Sabalenka’s fightback and Raducanu’s resurgence signal a thrilling tournament ahead.
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