-
Star is born as fearless 18-year-old Briton serves notice of huge talent with brilliant victory over experienced Romanian
-
Raducanu wins eight games in a row from 3-1 down in the first set in hugely assured performance
Eighteen-year-old Emma Raducanu created one of the great Wimbledon moments today on Court No1 when she defeated Sorana Cirstea by a 6-3, 7-5 scoreline.
There were perhaps 7,000 fans on Court No1 but many more will claim to have been here. The only modern comparison would be Andy Murray’s 2005 encounter with David Nalbandian, when he was still only 18, because that gave a similar taste of a fully-formed talent ready to announce itself to the world.
The difference, however, is that the young Murray was unable to close out that third-round win because of cramps. Whereas Raducanu kept banging away the winners against a superb opponent until she had romped into the fourth round.
For the last time a British player of this age reached the last 16 of Wimbledon, you have to go back to Christine Truman in 1957.
“It’s coming home!” shouted one voice from the crowd as Raducanu performed curtain calls in the style of a West End leading lady. She was equally unfazed by her on-court interview with Rishi Persad, in which she admitted that “My parents said to me ‘Did you pack enough match kit?’ It’s a good thing that they have a laundry service at the hotel.”
I have been covering Wimbledon for more than a decade and I haven’t seen a British prospect conduct themselves with this sort of composure, tactical insight and straightforward skill. It was truly goosebump territory.
Raducanu had gone 3-1 down early on, only to lift her speedy all-court game – which is underpinned by the most ferocious and deadly crosscourt backhand – and reel off eight straight games as Cirstea was caught unawares.
What happened next was perhaps the most impressive thing, however. Cirstea is not only a highly dangerous opponent but an extremely tough cookie. She made her own fightback from 3-0 down in the second set to level at 3-3, and at this stage Raducanu’s bubble could so easily have popped.
She was getting no free points at all; each rally had to be chiselled out with a screaming winner or a series of desperate retrieval shots – or often both in succession. And yet she just kept coming. In the final game, she began her push for the finish line with such an unlikely series of gets, followed by a sharply angled backhand crosscourt pass, that she dropped her racket in shock at what she had just achieved. And that was only her first point of the game. It took three more such prodigious feats to eliminate the unyielding Cirstea.
It may take a while for Raducanu – and the rest of us – to realise what she has just achieved. But with Alja Tomljanovic of Australia to come in Monday’s fourth round, she will also believe that her Wimbledon adventure can continue for another few days to come.
02:04 PM
A star is born!
02:04 PM
“This is an earthquake in tennis”
Those are the words of Tracy Austin on the performance of Emma Raducanu.
01:58 PM
Emma Raducanu speaks…
On how she is feeling…
“I am so speechless right now. I am so, so grateful for all the support I had today. I really appreciate it.”
On what it means for her…
“Just to stay another day and play in front of you.”
On trying to sum up the victory…
“This is by far the biggest stage I have played on. I was down in the first set and had to hold my nerve, you (the crowd) got me through.”
On playing in the second week…
“Who would have thought? When I was packing to get in the bubble my parents were ‘saying aren’t you packing too many match clothes?’”
01:50 PM
RADUCANU WINS IT 6-3, 7-5!!
At 0-15 Reducanu perhaps plays her best backhand winner of the match (it’s a crowded field…) – on the run, crosscourt that Cirstea cannot get close to. At 15-30 down she then gees up the crowd (surely she’s done this before?!) such awareness. She then earns a matchpoint with yet another backhand winner – Cirstea saves that one thanks to a long Raducanu forehand. Another Raducanu forehand, however, earns her a second matchpoint. Once again Cirstea digs deep and saves. At advantage down the Briton unleashes another backhand winner (no shock there) and it’s back to deuce. Raducanu then earns her third match point AND SHE DOES IT after a brilliant rally in which she seemed out of until she pushes Cirstea to the back of the court and forces the error!
WOW
Say hello to Briton’s latest star – he is the real deal and will go far…
Take a bow, Emma Raducanu.
01:38 PM
Raducanu 6-3, 6-5 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
Raducanu has been made to battle this set and same with this game. But at 30-30 she plays a backhand crosscourt winner (I know, another one…) to earn a service point. She duly wins the next point and again Cirstea will have to serve to stay in the match.
01:34 PM
Raducanu *6-3, 5-5 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
After losing eight games in a row Cirstea has done well – she’s up against it, has the crowd willing Raducanu’s every shot over the net BUT the Romanian has held firm this set. She holds to 15.
01:30 PM
Raducanu 6-3, 5-4 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is a game away from the fourth round. That was a game of attrition that the young Brit came out on top of – another good sign.
Cirstea is now serving to stay in the match.
01:27 PM
Raducanu* 6-3, 4-4 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
A Cirstea double fault gives Raducanu two break points – on second service the Briton has a great chance to break but a forehand into the net makes it 30-40 – an opportunity missed. It then gets to deuce after a forehand on the run from the Romanian. Raducanu moves Cirstea around the court prompting an error that gifts her a third break point.
She cannot capitalise on that and after a three more deuces, she unleashes a blistering crosscourt forehand winner for her fourth break point. This game is the longest of the match and is revealing much about Raducanu’s determination and poise. Another forehand winner – this time down the line – nets her a fifth break point. Again Cirstea saves it and we’re back to deuce.
Then after what seems like an eternity (14 mins 56 secs, to be precise) Cirstea finally holds..
01:10 PM
Raducanu 6-3, 4-3 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
That’s much better on her serve from Raducanu – she looked more settled and less nervous there than her previous service game. A double fault, however, gives Cirstea a glimmer of hope until a blistering forehand winner allows the Briton to hold to 30.
01:07 PM
Raducanu* 6-3, 3-3 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
Having been under pressure on serve for virtually the whole match Cirstea suddenly looks solid on her serve. She holds to 30 and we’re level in the second set.
01:03 PM
Raducanu 6-3, 3-2 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is now under pressure on her serve. Cirstea gets a 0-30 lead. She show guts and determination to get it back to 30-30 but a double fault gifts the Romanian a break point. A long forehand then sees Cirstea break. Having lost eight in a row, the Romanian has won two in a row.
12:59 PM
Raducanu* 6-3, 3-1 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is in the zone – she’s playing with joy and freedom, and plays a brilliant crosscourt forehand winner at. She then follows that up with an even better down the line forehand winner (while stretching for the ball). She soon has two break points. Cirstea saves the first – with a fine drop shot winner – then gets it back to deuce. From there she sends down a big first serve and an ace to finally hold. That was a huge hold from the Romanian.
12:54 PM
Raducanu 6-3, 3-0 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
Tracy Austin on BBC comms has said ‘we’re witnessing the start of a very good career’. Hard to disagree based on what we’ve seen over the past 50 mins or so.
In the time it took me to write that Raducanu has held to love. That’s eight games in a row for the Briton and Cirstea – an experienced, top-50 player – doesn’t know what to do.
If you can get to a TV, turn it on, watch this and be mightily impressed
12:52 PM
Raducanu* 6-3, 2-0 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
The Cirstea serve is under constant pressure – she’s down 0-30, then 15-40 and it’s two more break points for Raducanu. She only needs one of them as another (the latest in a long line) backhand winner down the line allows her to break to 15.
This is utterly brilliant from the Brit, so impressive, so good to watch, there must be a fault somewhere?!
12:49 PM
Raducanu 6-3, 1-0 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
Cirstea, understandably, is looking rattled – you would be too if you had to face the imperious, error and nerve-free display from Raducanu.
Five games on the bounce for the young Briton is now six. She holds to 15 thanks to another backhand winner. There’s little wrong in Raducanu’s world at the moment.
12:45 PM
RADUCANU TAKES THE FIRST SET 6-3!!!
That Raducanu backhand is both brutal and beautiful – it’s been used a few times already today and is clearly the strongest weapon in the 18 year old’s artillery. She hits a powerful crosscourt backhand that Cirstea cannot deal with. From there the Briton continues to dominate the Romanian’s serve and takes the first set with a delightful lob.
I think Billie Jean King was right – Raducanu is the real deal. That was so good…is this really her grand slam debut?!
12:41 PM
Raducanu 5-3 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
Going on the first eight games, Raducanu has the game and the poise to go far. There doesn’t seem to be any glaring weakness and her serving (aged just 18) is very impressive. She sends down two aces on the way to holding to 15. She is dominating her service games.
12:38 PM
Raducanu* 4-3 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is outhitting the Romanian (which takes some doing) and she has another break point and Cirstea gifts her the game thanks to a double fault. COuld that be the vital break? Three games on the trot for Emma…
12:33 PM
Raducanu 3-3 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
The Briton’s service games have been more impressive than those of her more heralded opponent – she holds to love after some brutal groundstrokes from Cirstea highlight the brilliant defensive game of Raducanu. So, so good from the 18-year-old.
12:30 PM
Raducanu* 2-3 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
There is so much belief in Raducanu’s backhand and it is so technically good that when on song she can play some great – ‘let’s see that again’ – winners. One just like that gets her to deuce (Cirstea has been take to deuce in each of her service games so far…). The Briton then has a break point and does not make a fault as a wayward forehand from the Romanian gifts her the break.
Said it before and I’ll doubtless say it again (many times) this is impressive from Raducanu.
12:24 PM
Raducanu 1-3 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
For all her youthful exuberanceand brilliance, it’s important to remember she’s still on 18 and she’s under pressure at 15-40. She then sends down a huge serve to get to 30-40 – a great response. But the Cirstea backhand is a weapon and it allows her to break to 30.
12:20 PM
Raducanu* 1-2 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
The Raducanu backhand looks brilliant and a great offensive weapon – on the run she unleashes a brilliant crosscourt winner to get to 0-15. Cirstea is again under pressure at 0-30 but summons up two decent serves to get to 30-30. The Briton moves Cirstea around the court well before wrongfooting her to get to deuce. The Romanian then puts in two bit first serves and holds again. BUT this is an impressive start from Raducanu – she is not overawed by the occasion, her opponent, or, seemingly, anything…
12:14 PM
Raducanu 1-1 Cirstea* (*denotes next server)
That’s a confident service game from Raducanu – she looks devoid of nerves (if she has any she’s hiding them well) she holds to love. This sport is easy isn’t it!
12:12 PM
Raducanu* 0-1 Cirstea (*denotes next server)
Annabel Croft says before the start: “This match is exciting because we don’t really know what will happen.” Let’s find out…
Cirstea serves first – she’s experienced, it’s her 13th Wimbledon BUT she is under pressure at 30-30. Raducanu’s backhand forcing an error. There are no nerves apparent in the Briton and she has an early break point! A long forehand gets the game to deuce, and from there Cirstea – thanks to a blistering forehand and wide backhand from the home hope – holds.
12:02 PM
The players are out on the court
And we’re a minute or two away from the start.
12:01 PM
‘She’s the real deal’
Whenever you are described in that way it’s pretty cool, when you’re a young tennis player and the person describing you like that is Billie Jean King it’s #verycool #amazing #telleveryone
11:59 AM
How does Raducanu play?
Other than well…
…she’s been described as a “code breaker with a racket.”
“In both Raducanu’s Wimbledon wins so far, she has cracked her opponents like Sudoku puzzles, demonstrating her strategic mind”
READ: How Emma Raducanu’s court craft and hunger are taking Wimbledon by storm
11:55 AM
Raducanu on her win over Vondrousova
“I couldn’t believe it when I finished the match. The crowd were unreal and really pushed me through some tight moments.”
11:51 AM
So who is Emma Raducanu?
Don’t feel bad if you hadn’t heard much about her before Thursday’s memorable win – she was doing her A-levels only a few weeks ago.
Our very own Molly McElwee has written a lovely profile of the 18-year-old in which we learn that…
-
Raducanu actually had her pick of four different nations to represent: she was born in Toronto to a Romanian father and Chinese mother, before the family moved to London when she was two.
-
Her parents, who both work in finance, were keen to ensure she remained well-balanced though and her hobbies include go-karting and motocross, and she has remained dedicated to her studies alongside tennis.
-
She successfully juggled her GCSEs alongside turning professional in 2018, achieving top grades while winning her first three ITF titles and making her debut on the British Fed Cup team last year.
READ: Meet Emma Raducanu: the motocross-loving model student – and next big thing in British tennis
11:24 AM
Britain’s future star can shine again
You never have to wait long to come across British tennis’ next Big Thing. Seemingly every Wimbledon some young ‘future star’ will shine for a round or two before the anticipated titles and glory never really materialises thereafter. In Emma Raducanu the hype seems justified.
The 18-year-old wildcard is in the third round thanks to her memorable 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Marketa Vondrousova – a player 296 places above her in the world rankings. The debutant is now the lone British woman flag-bearer and as Mick Cleary wrote after that famous win: “Two months ago Raducanu was sitting her A-levels, unknown and unheralded. Those days of anonymity are gone. This was her sporting matriculation. From sixth-former to prodigy in the spotlight. The wheel is turning and Raducanu is enjoying the ride.”
What made the win over the 2019 French Open finalist even more sparkling was the fact Raducanu had not played a professional tournament since March 2020 before this week and if you didn’t know which player was which you would have reasonably assumed that it was the 18-year-old home hope that was the world No.42 and former grand slam finalist, and it was the Czech playing in her first slam.
Raducanu’s world ranking of 338 is set to fly high after this run to the third round, and her march to the third round will see her earn at least £115,000 – nearly four times her career earnings to date. She was one of six British women to be handed a wildcard, but it was Raducanu who showed the poise and lcass lacking in some of her her compatriots and this afternoon faces Sorana Cirstea.
The Romanian is 45 in the world rankings and will likely give Raducanu another test and provide a good barometer of where she is and where she can go. Cirstea has never been past the third round in SW19 so it will be unchartered waters for whoever wins today.
Stay here for what promises to be another rollercoaster ride and an early glimpse of a future British star.