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Aryna Sabalenka Makes Major Emma Raducanu Prediction After Beating Her at Wimbledon

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 10:05 AM ET

Aryna Sabalenka made another stride forward for her first Wimbledon title. On Friday (July 4), she battled past home favorite Emma Raducanu to book a spot in the fourth round.

It was their second meeting on the tour following last year’s clash in the Indian Wells third round. The first set went to the tie-breaker, which Sabalenka with difficulty secured. But she did not let the Brit force a comeback, winning the second set and eventually the match with a 7-6(6), 6-4 scoreline.

With this defeat, Raducanu’s dream of winning her second Grand Slam title was once again ruined. She was the winner in the 2021 US Open, which helped her rankings because the following season, she achieved her career-best World No.10 ranking.

But because of injury issues and inconsistent performances, her ranking was affected, and she even dropped out of the top 300. Raducanu currently stands on the 40th spot and Sabalenka, at the press conference after her win, said she is convinced that Raducanu will get back to the top 10 one day.

I can’t predict anything, but I’m definitely sure that, maybe not in the months, but in a bit longer period, she’s definitely gonna get back to the top. She’s fighting. She’s playing much better. She’s more consistent. I can see that mentally she’s healthy. That’s really important. I’m pretty sure she’s getting there.

Raducanu, since her win in that US Open win, has not yet reached a singles final. She produced her best performance since that final at the Miami Open this year as she was successful in winning four consecutive matches in a tournament. Raducanu reached the quarterfinals and lost the match to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula.

Emma Raducanu is proud of her performance against Aryna Sabalenka

Emma Raducanu produced her best performance at Wimbledon when she made it to the fourth round in 2021 and 2024. Although the British hope was disappointed in not securing the win, she gained confidence in her ability to display good tennis against top players like Aryna Sabalenka.

Yeah, it does. It does give me confidence. I think the problem before was I felt like I was gulfs away from the very top. Having a match like that where I had chances in both sets does give me confidence. At the same time, it’s very difficult to take right now.
Emma Raducanu said at the press conference

Sabalenka will lock horns with Elise Mertens next. Mertens and Sabalenka used to play doubles together and had also lifted two Grand Slam doubles titles, in the 2021 Australian Open and the 2019 US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka can't be tamed #Wimbledon | @SabalenkaA pic.twitter.com/mKIMXxdUGw
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2025

The Belarusian has met the 29-year-old 12 times, winning 10 of these matches. Mertens secured those two wins when they met in the 2018 Indian Wells fourth round and in the final in Lugano the same year, which was also their first encounter on the tour.

Mertens won Wimbledon doubles in 2021 along with Hsieh Su-wei. In singles, however, she has never progressed beyond the fourth round. Sabalenka, on the other hand, is a semifinalist at Wimbledon. Twice she has reached the last four, in 2021 and 2023; but last year, an injury forced her to skip the tournament.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion is chasing her fourth title of the season. She has made it to seven finals, including in the Australian Open and the French Open, losing both, to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively.

Before arriving in London, the 27-year-old was defeated in the semifinals of the Berlin Open by eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova . Sabalenka has reached the finals of grass-court events twice but lost both.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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