Emma Raducanu’s path at Wimbledon is becoming increasingly favorable, igniting hopes for a deep run at the prestigious tournament. Despite first-round jitters and a scrappy performance, Raducanu triumphed over lucky loser Renata Zarazua on Centre Court, expressing relief in “winning ugly.”

The unexpected illness of No. 22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova just hours before their match handed Raducanu a significant advantage. This fortunate turn allowed her to bypass one of the top 32 players in the early rounds, a rare occurrence for an unseeded player.

Raducanu’s next challenge is Elise Mertens, a consistent player who has reached at least the third round in 18 consecutive Grand Slams. However, Mertens rarely progresses further, giving Raducanu a realistic chance to advance. If successful, Raducanu could face world No. 56 Arantxa Rus or potentially No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari, whom she defeated en route to her 2021 US Open victory.

The prospect of facing Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the fourth round also seems manageable. Pavlyuchenkova, who has a limited record at Wimbledon, does not pose an insurmountable challenge. The withdrawal of No. 3 seed Aryna Sabalenka due to a shoulder injury further brightens Raducanu’s outlook, as the highest-ranked potential quarter-final opponent is world No. 14 Daria Kasatkina.

Raducanu’s favorable draw and her proven ability to handle pressure, as seen in her 2021 US Open triumph, suggest a promising Wimbledon campaign. “Winning ugly” in the first round could be the first step towards a remarkable run, provided she remains healthy and composed. The world witnessed her potential in New York, and now, she has another chance to conquer the tennis stage.

Raducanu in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2024

Ranked no.135, Raducanu achieved a 14-9 match record in 2024. The Brit is now playing in Wimbledon where she defeated the world no.98 Renata Zarazua 7-6⁰ 6-3.

Emma Raducanu will fight against the world no.33 Elise Mertens in the 2^nd round on Wednesday at 6:00 pm on Court 1. In the past, they have never competed against each other as of now in top competitions.