EMMA SHOWS MAGIC TOUCH

But after ingenious destruction of former champion, Raducanu faces ultimate test

- By Neil McLeman

THE good news for Emma Raducanu is that she served up a tactical masterclass on Centre Court - and won the best point of her career - to outclass former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

The bad news is that her reward is a meeting with world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. But the British No.1 now has a free hit in her home Grand Slam after overcoming her back issues and "pretty bad" personal news to reach the third round in style without dropping a set.

Vondrousova, now 26, has suffered from injuries since her sole Grand Slam triumph here in 2023 - and followed Berlin Open Raducanu in becoming only the third player in the Open era to lose in the first round of her title defence last year.

But the world No.73 faced Raducanu on a run of six consecutive wins against top-50 players after lifting the title last month - including a victory against Sabalenka - and beating world No.30 McCartney Kessler in the opening round here.