Aryna Sabalenka walked off Centre Court on Friday night endured one of the most intense battles of her Wimbledon campaign, overcoming Britain’s Emma Raducanu 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 in a match that tested every ounce of her resolve.

“It felt like I was playing against 15,000 people,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on the electric atmosphere. “Every cheer for Emma, I told myself they were cheering for me. I had goosebumps.”

The Belarusian top seed was pushed to the brink in a first set that lasted 74 minutes. Raducanu saved seven set points and even held a set point of her own before Sabalenka finally broke through with a deft volley in the tie-break.

“She played incredible tennis,” Sabalenka admitted. “I had to fight for every point like crazy.”

The second set brought more drama. Raducanu surged to a 4-1 lead, threatening to drag the contest into a deciding set. But Sabalenka, drawing on her Grand Slam experience, flipped the momentum and reeled off five straight games to seal the win.

“I’ve had matches where I lost myself,” she said. “Today, I stayed calm and pushed myself to the limit.”

Sabalenka now turns her focus to the fourth round, where she’ll face Belgium’s Elise Mertens. But she won’t soon forget the battle with Raducanu—a match that reminded her why she loves the sport.

“It’s all about the challenge,” she said. “When you survive something like that and come out with the win, it’s the best feeling.”

Source: BBC

SMS/