Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon journey came to an end after a tough fourth-round match against New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun on Centre Court. The British wildcard, who had been in fine form in the earlier rounds, suffered an injury setback in the deciding set, ultimately losing 6-2 5-7 6-2.
Raducanu showed great determination despite the injury, receiving treatment on her leg and back after slipping on the baseline. The 2021 US Open champion bravely continued to play but was unable to regain momentum, losing serve and ultimately the match to Sun.
The defeat means that Raducanu missed out on reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in her career, and with no British players left in the singles draws, the disappointment was felt by the home crowd. Sun, on the other hand, demonstrated a powerful game that disrupted Raducanu’s rhythm and led to her victory.
The match was particularly challenging for Raducanu, who had to withdraw from a planned mixed doubles appearance due to stiffness in her right wrist. Despite the setback, she had been in good spirits during the grass-court swing and had shown some of her best tennis since winning the US Open.
Facing a qualifier like Sun proved to be a tough test for Raducanu, who had acknowledged the danger that qualifiers can pose. Sun’s confidence and aggressive playstyle proved to be too much for Raducanu to handle, as she continued her remarkable run at Wimbledon.
Sun’s journey at Wimbledon has been nothing short of inspiring, with the left-hander displaying flashy winners and a strong serve throughout the tournament. Her emotional reaction after reaching the quarter-finals highlighted the significance of her achievement, especially considering that she had never won a match at a major before this tournament.
Looking ahead, Sun will face Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the next round, with both players vying for a spot in the semi-finals. The match promises to be another exciting contest as Sun looks to continue her dream run at Wimbledon.