Emma Raducanu hammers Elise Mertens as Brit reaches Grand Slam third round for first time since US Open victory
RUTHLESS Emma Raducanu dropped just THREE games as she crushed Elise Mertens to reach the third round of Wimbledon.
For the first time since that amazing, unprecedented US Open win in 2021, Raducanu has won back-to-back matches at a tennis Slam.
On the day it was confirmed she would partner up with tennis icon Andy Murray in mixed doubles action, the Brit, 21, was in dominant fashion under the No1 Court roof.
The Bromley player cruised through the first set in 38 minutes against the more experienced Belgian with two breaks of serve.
And the comprehensive 6-1 6-2 triumph was sealed with 75 minutes on the match clock as she reminded everybody what all the hype was about during those heady days three years ago in New York.
Indeed, it was the fewest number of games dropped at major level since her 6-0 6-1 thrashing of Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in that epic Big Apple adventure.
This was her first time on No1 Court since having a panic attack against Australian Alja Tomljanovic three years ago that curtailed her passage through the draw at the last-16 stage.
On this form, and if she maintains this type of momentum, few would bet against Raducanu going to the fourth round again at SW19 and maybe even further.
Next up she plays Greek No9 seed Maria Sakkari or Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus – both of whom will be no significant frightening proposition.
Raducanu, who has guaranteed herself at least £143,000 by reaching round three, said: “It makes me feel unbelievable. I mean I feel so, so welcome here. Honestly, No1 Court is my favourite court.
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“This guy said it [beautiful], I think played some really good tennis today. I am really pleased. I am over the moon to be playing here and to extend my day by one more day.
“I am so grateful to everyone and the support today, with the roof closed especially it was super loud. I am really, really appreciative and grateful for everyone for making a lot of noise.
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“The most important thing is to focus on myself. I did that really well, I took care of my business, and what I felt like I needed to do.
“Staying in the zone, in your own little world, creating that environment is the most important thing. To try to stay focused, and serve out a match like that.
“I’m playing really good tennis, I am very happy with the improvements that I have made.
“I knew that all the hard yards and the hard work I was doing in the year would lead to something, I am so happy I am able to reap some of the rewards at Wimbledon.”
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
- I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
- I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
- I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
- I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
- I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
- I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
- I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
On playing mixed doubles with Andy Murray, she added: “I mean I am not sure but my doubles record isn’t exactly the longest or more vast.
“But I couldn’t say no. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a dream of mine since I was a young girl, since watching the Olympics.
“Andy is a hero to all of us. For me, it’s a real gift, a real honour that he asked me.
“It’s a moment that I could never say no to, I am super excited to be on the mixed doubles court and hopefully learn a thing or two about coming to the net or something.”
Wimbledon 2024 prize money
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
- Winner: £2.7m
- Runner-up: £1.4m
- Semi-finalists: £715,000
- Quarter-finalists: £375,000
- Fourth round: £226,000
- Third round: £143,000
- Second round: £93,000
- First round: £60,000
- Overall total: £50m