Wimbledon 2025: Emma Raducanu looks to bridge gap to Aryna Sablenka and world’s best

Let’s not get carried away just yet.

On Wednesday, Emma Raducanu produced one of her best performances “in a long time” to beat 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova and move into the Wimbledon third round.

But backing up that victory to reach the last 16 will probably require an even better display from the British number one on Friday.

Standing in her way is Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and overwhelming favourite for the women’s singles title.

Raducanu has made sound progress to climb back into the world’s top 40 this season, but the evidence has shown there is still a clear gulf between the 22-year-old and the leading stars.

Both of her Grand Slam appearances this season were ended in ruthless fashion by five-time major champion Iga Swiatek – Raducanu winning only one game at the Australian Open and three at the French Open in a pair of demoralising defeats.

Coco Gauff, who went on to win the Roland Garros title, also proved too much of a step up in class for Raducanu on the Rome clay.

The challenge for Raducanu is discovering how she can test the very best.

“I think I need more weapons. I think I need to be able to hit the ball with better quality more often,” Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, told BBC Sport before facing Sabalenka.

“I think I need to serve better. I think I need to hit better on the move. There are a lot of things I need to do better.

“Beating a top player like Marketa, who has won this tournament, was obviously a really positive thing for me and a really good marker.

“But I need to bridge the gap to the very, very top.”