In a fascinating clash that bridged a generational gap in British tennis, former US Open champion Emma Raducanu defeated her younger compatriot, wild card Mimi Xu, in straight sets during the opening round of The Championships, Wimbledon. The much-anticipated “Battle of the Brits” on Court No. 1 saw the more experienced Raducanu prevail 6-3, 6-3 in an engaging contest that lasted one hour and 25 minutes.
The narrative surrounding the match was compelling, given the two players’ unique history. Seventeen-year-old Mimi Xu, making her senior Grand Slam main-draw debut, has openly cited Raducanu as a “really good role model.” Their connection is a heartwarming tale of a superstar offering an impromptu helping hand to an aspiring newcomer. It was revealed that just months after her sensational 2021 US Open triumph, Raducanu, then hunting for a practice partner, had invited a 14-year-old Xu to hit with her for 45 minutes on the grass courts of the LTA’s National Tennis Centre. An LTA coach recalled the gesture, noting, “That’s something that Mimi is never going to forget,” highlighting the memorable nature of the interaction for the younger player. The connection runs deeper, as the two players, both with Chinese heritage, sometimes converse in Mandarin.
Despite the friendly history, the atmosphere on Court No. 1 was all business, tinged with a unique, supportive energy for both players. The contest marked the first time two British women had faced each other in the Wimbledon first round since 2011. Raducanu, now 22 and the British No. 1, wasted no time asserting her authority. Her experience and clean, destructive groundstrokes set the tone immediately. She broke Xu in the very first game and continued to press, never facing a break point and hitting only four unforced errors in a dominant first set that finished 6-3. The world No. 40’s gulf in class and maturity was evident against the debutante, who is ranked outside the world’s top 300.
However, the second set provided a more spirited resistance from the Welsh-born teenager. Xu, who won a wildcard after a brilliant rise that included beating two top-100 players on grass in the preceding weeks, began to swing more freely, finding her weapons and increasing her winner count. After a swift start to the second set saw Raducanu break and move up 2-0, the match devolved into a series of five straight service breaks.
From 40-0 up on her serve, Raducanu faltered, allowing Xu to sensationally break back and level the score at 2-2. The crowd fully embraced the fightback, with shouts of “Come on Britain!” supporting both women. The rollercoaster of breaks continued until Raducanu, drawing on her extensive experience at the top level, managed to hold serve at 4-2, ending the streak and regaining crucial momentum. She finished the match with a total of 25 winners to 12 unforced errors, finally closing out the second set 6-3.
After the victory, Raducanu acknowledged the unusual dynamic of the contest. “It’s really awkward playing a Brit, especially someone younger,” she admitted. Yet, she appreciated the unique environment. “I think the crowd are great both ways. I think it was nice for her to also receive that sort of welcome, that sort of support.” Raducanu was also quick to praise the potential of her young opponent, who has recently excelled in the junior circuits. “She’s a great player with big weapons. Congrats for her to kind of make it to get the wild card opportunity. I’m sure she’s going to do great things in the future.”
The win not only secured Raducanu’s spot in the second round—maintaining her excellent 11-2 record in Grand Slam first-round matches—but also sets up a blockbuster clash with the reigning 2023 Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova. Looking ahead to the daunting task against the grass-court specialist, Raducanu recognised the challenge. She noted that Vondrousova “won Berlin 500, beat really top players on the way to the title. Obviously has won Wimbledon. Amazing grass court player, in general. I think it’s going to be a really difficult match. I’m going to need to play very well to get over the line.”
The former US Open champion continues to show a renewed sense of consistency, maintaining a ranking within the world’s top 40. While the tennis world buzzes about her impending second-round test, the opening match against Mimi Xu will be remembered as a significant moment for the future of British tennis, showcasing two remarkable athletes with a shared past and a bright future, regardless of the scoreline.
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