Former junior rivals Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are set to battle for a place in the Wimbledon last 16 on Friday. Raducanu will take on Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari in the second match on Centre Court, while Kartal faces a challenging encounter against second seed Coco Gauff in the final match on Court One.
Raducanu, now 21, has been displaying impressive form, thoroughly outplaying Elise Mertens in her previous match, losing just three games. This third-round clash with Sakkari is a rematch of their 2021 US Open semi-final, which Raducanu won convincingly 6-1 6-4 on her way to the title. Despite being ranked 135th due to her ongoing comeback from multiple surgeries last year, Raducanu has shown her capabilities by reaching the Nottingham semi-finals and Eastbourne quarter-finals in preparation for Wimbledon.
“I have had quite a few matches on grass so I am feeling really good,” Raducanu told BBC Sport. “I have no pressure or expectation to beat someone in the top 10 right now, but of course, I believe in myself and I’m confident with the way I am playing.”
Kartal, ranked 298th in the world, has had a slower rise to prominence compared to Raducanu. Health issues and injuries hindered her progress, making her appearance at Wimbledon this year unexpected. However, she came through qualifying, which she describes as “the best thing for me.” Now, she faces the formidable challenge of American Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, on Court One.
Reflecting on her journey, Kartal told BBC Sport, “I think it’s what dreams are made of. I came here as a little kid, when I was six or seven, watching matches. I’ve got pictures in my house of me and my family on Centre Court, watching Roger Federer and things like that. I’ll play my game and play my strengths and we’ll see what the outcome is on Friday.”
Before Raducanu’s match, defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz will face 29th seed Frances Tiafoe on Centre Court at 13:30 BST. World number one Jannik Sinner will close the programme on Centre Court against Miomir Kecmanovic.