Aryna Sabalenka has tipped Britain’s Emma Raducanu to return to the world top 10 after their ‘enthralling battle’ at Wimbledon on Friday night.
World No.1 Sabalenka was pushed all the way but eventually won 7-6 6-4 to defeat the 2021 US Open champion on a packed and loud Centre Court.
Raducanu produced some of the best tennis she’s played all year but fell narrowly short to a player 39 places above her in the WTA rankings.
Sabalenka was left full of praise for world No.40 Raducanu and believes it won’t be long until the British No.1 makes her return to the top 10 after their third-round showdown at the All England Club.
‘Emma was playing incredible tennis’
‘She [Raducanu] played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard,’ three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said on Centre Court.
‘To get this win, I had to fight for every point like crazy. 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.
‘Emma was playing incredible tennis once again. She was making me move a lot, serving well and playing great tennis from the baseline.
‘I was just trying to stay focused and put as many balls as I could on her side. I just tried to put all of the pressure on her.
‘What an atmosphere. 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 honestly, so thank you for the atmosphere.
‘I’ve had a lot of experience in the past, and especially recently, where I’ve just completely lost myself and I’ve not been able to play a point.
‘Today I was just trying to keep telling myself to not make the same mistake. I just tried to stay calm and push myself to the limit.’
‘An enthralling battle’
Former British tennis player Naomi Cavaday, offering her reaction to the match on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: ‘An enthralling battle. An incredibly high standard.
‘Raducanu playing the best tennis we have seen from her all year, but the world number one was able to ride it out in the crucial stages.
‘She was pushed, she was challenged, she was threatened, but she responded and came through two tight sets in two hours.’