AFP, London:
Aryna Sabalenka overcame a fierce challenge from Emma Raducanu and a partisan Centre Court crowd to stay on track for her first Wimbledon title on Friday.
In a pulsating contest of clean-hitting under the Centre Court roof the world number one beat the former US Open champion 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in two hours to reach the fourth round.
Sabalenka found an extra gear when it mattered as the British player’s form dipped slightly, avoiding the fate of so many of the other top players at this year’s championships.
It is only day five of Wimbledon but just four of the top 10 women’s seeds remain, with half of the men’s top 10 also ousted.
“I had to fight for every point like crazy,” said Sabalenka, who has never been beyond the semi-finals at the All England Club.
“I’m super happy with the win of course. I’m super happy to see her healthy and back on track. I’m pretty sure that she will be back in the top 10 soon.”
The Belarusian, 27, said she had had to battle against the crowd.
“What an atmosphere,” she said. “My ears are still hurting, honestly. It was super loud. Every time you were cheering her, I was trying to tell myself to just pretend that you were just cheering for me. I had goosebumps.”
Raducanu, who is ranked 40th in the world, wasted little time signalling her refusal to be intimidated by her big-hitting opponent.
Matching the three-time Grand Slam champion blow for blow, she landed the first break in the fifth game when a blistering drive forced Sabalenka to net a backhand.
Raducanu clenched her fist in delight as a roar from the crowd echoed under the closed roof.
Having trailed 4-2, Sabalenka hit back in the blink of an eye to draw level in the eighth game.
Sabalenka went for the kill, but when she amassed seven set points on Raducanu’s serve in a marathon 10th game, the Briton nervelessly saved them all.
