Aryna Sabalenka shows Novak Djokovic-esque mindset playing against the Wimbledon crowd during her match vs. Emma Raducanu

Sabalenka would hope that the British crowd will be on her side when she takes on Elise Mertens in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. The match will be on Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka powers past Emma Raducanu

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Wimbledon fourth round after a hard-fought win over Emma Raducanu. Playing under the Centre Court roof, the world No. 1 defeated Raducanu 7-6(8), 6-4 in a thrilling two-hour match. Both players had their moments, but Sabalenka’s composure in key moments made the difference.

She came back from a breakdown in both sets. In the first, Sabalenka had to save a set point in the tiebreak. In the second, she almost trailed 1-5 before turning the match around. The top seed’s resilience helped her extend her stay at Wimbledon as she aims for her first title at the All-England Club.

Next, Sabalenka will face 24th seed Elise Mertens in the last 16. The two have a history as a successful doubles team, winning Grand Slam titles together in 2019 and 2021. However, Sabalenka has dominated their singles meetings, winning the last nine and holding a 10-2 lead in their rivalry.

Friday’s first set was a standout moment. Raducanu started strong, leading 4-2, and later held a set point in the tiebreak. But Sabalenka’s nerve under pressure proved too strong. Raducanu also led 4-1 in the second set before the world No. 1 surged back. The win marked Sabalenka’s second triumph over the British player.

Emma Raducanu has plenty of positives after Wimbledon exit

Emma Raducanu may have exited Wimbledon with a loss, but her performance told a different story. She fell to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(6), 6-4, yet showed signs of real progress. Unlike past one-sided defeats against top players, this match proved Raducanu can push the best in the game. It was a tight, competitive contest that showed her growth.

Despite the loss, Raducanu’s level of play earned her overwhelming support from the Centre Court crowd. Early in the match, she broke Sabalenka’s serve and matched her power, giving the fans a reason to believe. The energy inside the stadium grew with each game, reflecting the quality of tennis Raducanu brought to the match.

At 5-4 in the first set, Sabalenka had seven chances to close it out but failed to convert. Raducanu broke back, served for the set at 6-5, and even held a set point in the tie-break. She fought toe-to-toe with Sabalenka, keeping the contest alive until the final stretch. It was one of Raducanu’s strongest showings since her U.S. Open win.

This performance could be a turning point for Raducanu. She played near top-10 level throughout most of the match, giving fans and critics a glimpse of her true potential. Though she didn’t advance, her showing under the Centre Court roof may have restored belief that she can one day win another Grand Slam.