Emma Raducanu inspired by previous experience on Court One to claim impressive victory

Emma Raducanu drew on fond memories and Carlos Alcaraz as she cruised to a thumping victory over Elise Mertens to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

The 21-year-old was back on Court 1 for the first time since her breakthrough run to the fourth round three years ago, kicking off a summer that ended with her stunning success at the US Open.

Raducanu had not progressed beyond the second round at a Grand Slam since but the result here never looked in doubt, with the Kent star taking control from the start and storming to a 6-1 6-2 victory.

In 2021, the occasion was ultimately too much for the then-teenager and she retired due to breathing difficulties against Ajla Tomljanovic, but the match she remembers most is her third-round encounter with Sorana Cirstea on the same court.

“When I think about Court One, I think about that incredible win against Sorana,” Raducanu said. “It was my first appearance in the world of tennis.

“I have incredible memories of that court. I think that match in particular was the first time I played on a court of that size. The crowd, the atmosphere, the feeling of adaptation at the beginning, just playing on a court that big.”

Raducanu has had a veritable lifetime of experiences since then, many of them negative, but she had a smile on her face at the All England Club this year and finally seems comfortable with her place in the sport.

If she can maintain the form she showed against Belgium’s Mertens, ranked one place outside the top seeds at 33rd, she could still do serious damage in this tournament.

Many of the matches were tight but, on key points, it was Raducanu who created the magic moments, whether it was a precise lob, a slicing drop shot or the kind of searing groundstrokes for which she has made her name.

Playing under the roof on a grey and rainy day, Raducanu lit up Court One with a run of five straight games to start the match and didn’t look back to set up a meeting with ninth seed Maria Sakkari, whom she beat in the semi-final at Flushing Meadows.

Raducanu followed Alcaraz onto the court and said: “I had a lot of fun. I think it’s when my character shines through in my tennis that I play best.

“I’m really happy about that. Honestly, I followed Carlos and it was pretty cool to see him play because he has the same kind of demeanor and enjoyment in the sport. It’s just fun to follow and watch.”