Few players at Wimbledon 2024 have generated as much crowd fanfare as Emma Raducanu, who returned to Court One with a glint in her eyes and a fire in her racquet on Wednesday.
Fresh from her somewhat nervy first-round success over Renata Zarazua, whom she only discovered she would be facing a few hours beforehand, Raducanu found herself against a more revered foe in Elise Mertens, ranked 102 places higher than her.
However, the 21-year-old rose to the challenge and then some to roar to an emphatic 6-1 6-2 triumph in front of the elated home crowd, taking just 75 minutes to seal the deal and advance to round three.
An even sterner test awaits Raducanu next up - the former British number one must pit her wits against ninth seed Maria Sakkari - but on Wednesday evening, she allowed herself to soak up the crowd's adoration.
In extremely high spirits, she raised the microphone to a singing spectator while being interviewed on the court, before various members of the crowd blurted out "yes" when she was asked if she is playing her best tennis since conquering New York three years ago.
When you play so well, even the crowd sing to you in your press conference 🤣
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2024
Soak it up @emmaraducanu , you've earned it.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/8bXGclpbxn
Sonay Kartal sets up Coco Gauff showdown
"Everyone else said yes!" Raducanu said after dominating Mertens with 22 winners and three aces. "I played really good tennis and I knew all the hard yards would lead to something and I am just happy I can reap some of the rewards here in Wimbledon."
Raducanu's victory came on the same day that she was confirmed to be partnering up with Andy Murray for a dream mixed doubles pairing, and the British success did not end there on day three of the Championships.
Earlier in the day, 295th-ranked qualifier Sonay Kartal followed up her shock scalp of Sorana Cirstea with a 6-3 5-7 6-3 success over Clara Burel of France, only earning herself a third-round date with Coco Gauff in the process.
The American second seed dropped just three games in her opener with Caroline Dolehide and enjoyed an almost identical win on Wednesday, easing past Anca Todoni 6-2 6-1, but it was not to be for another former Grand Slam winner.
Naomi Osaka was denied a potential clash with Kartal or Gauff on account of a 4-6 1-6 loss to the USA's Emma Navarro, who hit just five unforced errors and did not face a single break point on the afternoon.
Carlos Alcaraz rolls on but Daniel Evans eliminated
© Reuters
In the men's side of the draw, reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz was a straight-sets victor over Aleksandar Vukic, overcoming a minor opening wobble to triumph 7-6[5] 6-2 6-2 and set up a showdown with Frances Tiafoe.
Daniil Medvedev also conquered Alexandre Muller 6-7[3] 7-6[4] 6-4 7-5 to reach round three, but yet another SW19 campaign was cut short for Casper Ruud, who lost in four to Fabio Fognini.
As far as the British interest in the men's tournament went on Wednesday, Daniel Evans's resumed first-round match against 24th seed Alejandro Tabilo ended with the home favourite going down 2-6 5-7 3-6.
Who is playing at Wimbledon tomorrow?
Wednesday's action sees the return of seven-time champion Novak Djokovic against wild card Jacob Fearnley, while two all-British affairs see Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart do battle before Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie square off.
Outside of the singles, Murray will grace Centre Court for potentially the last time, teaming up with brother Jamie Murray to face Rinky Hijikata and John Peers in the men's doubles.
Ben Knapton
