Raducanu too powerful for Grand Slam debutant Xu

While defending champion Carlos Alcaraz became ensnared in a five-set epic against the maverick Fabio Fognini, over on Wimbledon’s second show court, another former US Open champion was showing him how first-round matches at grand slams are supposed to go.

- FLO CLIFFORD

In fact, his future doubles partner: Emma Raducanu. The pair’s paths have diverged quite considerably since breakout seasons as teenagers, Raducanu winning a maiden major in Flushing Meadows in 2021, Alcaraz following suit the year after.

The Brit has never been able to replicate the highs of that stunning major win, but is back in the world’s top 40 after a more consistent first half of the season, and back in the British No 1 spot.

The opponent she faced yesterday evening at SW19 may have reminded her somewhat of herself at a younger age. Mimi Xu, 17, has recalled watching Raducanu’s US Open win, surrounded by friends she trained with at the LTA academy in Loughborough, and cites the 22-year-old as a “role model” for her.

The Swansea teenager was awarded a wildcard into the main draw at Wimbledon this year, after a brilliant rise to the cusp of the world’s top 300, including beating two top-100 players on grass this summer. Her reward was a first-round encounter with Raducanu, and primetime billing on Wimbledon’s second-biggest court.

It was quite the step up for someone mid-A levels, who - excellent season notwithstanding - largely competes on the ITF circuit. And initially Xu looked a little star-struck. Raducanu opted to receive first and immediately piled pressure on the teenager’s serve, breaking at the first time of asking. The 22-year-old often cuts a fired-up figure on court, and Xu’s quiet racquet-shakes to herself were drowned out by Raducanu’s frequent shouts of “Come on!” as she raced into the lead.