
Wimbledon’s Centre Court belonged to Emma Raducanu on Day 3, as the British star delivered a performance brimming with poise, precision, and purpose. In front of a packed home crowd, Raducanu dismantled 2023 champion Markéta Vondroušová in straight sets, 6–3, 6–3, reviving the roar of SW19 and injecting the tournament with a surge of local hope.
On a day when rain flirted with the schedule, it was Raducanu who provided the sunshine -- playing with freedom, finesse, and flashes of brilliance reminiscent of her breakout run at the US Open three years ago. The result sets up a blockbuster third-round clash with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who edged past Marie Bouzková 7–6, 6–4 in a tighter-than-expected encounter.
Sabalenka had to survive a tricky second-round encounter against Bouzková. The Belarusian top seed edged a tight first set in a tiebreak before sealing the win to book her date with Raducanu.
Alcaraz, the smooth operator
In the men’s draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz continued his smooth progression, dispatching British qualifier Oliver Tarvet 6–1, 6–4, 6–4. The Spaniard’s dominance on grass was evident as he raced through the match in just under two hours.
American Taylor Fritz added another five-set epic to his Wimbledon resume, coming through a rain-interrupted battle against Gabriel Diallo 3–6, 6–3, 7–6, 4–6, 6–3 under the roof of Court No. 1. Fritz has now played back-to-back five-setters in the opening rounds.
Home favourite Cameron Norrie gave the British crowd more reason to cheer with an inspired four-set win over 12th seed Frances Tiafoe. The left-hander used angles and depth to disrupt Tiafoe’s rhythm, prevailing 6–4, 3–6, 7–5, 6–4 in a tightly contested match.
Mixed day for the Indians
Meanwhile, the Indian doubles players experienced mixed fortunes on the day. Yuki Bhambri and his American partner William Galloway, seeded 16th, secured a straight-sets win in their opener. Bollipalli and Barrientos advanced in three sets. However, veteran Rohan Bopanna and Sander Gille bowed out to third seeds Tim Pütz and Kevin Krawietz.