Wimbledon 2025 LIVE!
Aryna Sabalenka was given a real scare but battled her way past Emma Raducanu in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd. The atmosphere was heightened by the closing of the roof and Raducanu provided those in attendance with plenty to get behind, as she went toe-to-toe with the world number one over two hours.
Raducanu led 4-2 in the first set and 4-1 in the second but could not get over the line on either occasion, as Sabalenka booked her place in the last-16 with a 7-6 6-4 win. "She played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard,” Sabalenka said. “To get this win, I had to fight for every point like crazy. I'm super happy with the win of course. I'm super happy to see her healthy and back on track. I'm pretty sure that she will be back in the top 10 soon.”
Asked about the frenzied atmosphere, she added: "What an atmosphere. My ears are still hurting, honestly. It was super loud! Every time you were cheering her, I was trying to tell myself to just pretend that you were just cheering for me. I had goosebumps honestly, so thank you for the atmosphere."
Emma Raducanu vs Aryna Sabalenka latest news
- Game, set and match: Sabalenka edges past Raducanu
- Sabalenka wins thrilling set in tie-break
- Raducanu saves seven set points!
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22:29 , Matt VerriAryna Sabalenka was given a real scare but battled her way past Emma Raducanu in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd.
The atmosphere was heightened by the closing of the roof and Raducanu provided those in attendance with plenty to get behind, as she went toe-to-toe with the world number one over two hours.
Raducanu led 4-2 in the first set and 4-1 in the second but could not get over the line on either occasion, as Sabalenka booked her place in the last-16 with a 7-6 6-4 win.
Praise for Raducanu...
22:09 , Matt VerriAryna Sabalenka with some nice words for Emma Raducanu.
"I'm pretty sure soon she's going to be back in the Top 10."
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2025
Aryna Sabalenka has nothing but praise for Emma Raducanu 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DInNBRW7Tu
Reaction from Sabalenka
22:06 , Matt Verri“What an atmosphere... my ears are still hurting!
“I was just trying to tell myself that they are cheering for you. I had goosebumps.
“Just wow, thank you for the atmosphere.
“I’ve had a lot of experience in the past where I completely lost myself and couldn’t play the points [in this atmosphere].
“I was just telling myself do not make the same mistake.”
Sabalenka 7-6 6-4 Raducanu
22:02 , Matt VerriSabalenka motoring towards the finish line, backhand winner down the line gets her to 30-0. Two points away.
Deep forehand, Raducanu can barely get a racket on that. Three match points.
Sabalenka tries to finish in style, can’t quite make that backhand. 40-15.
Hold up... double fault. Centre Court suddenly starts to believe again. One match point left.
She converts that one! First serve, fittingly, gets the job done.
Sabalenka 7-6 *5-4 Raducanu
21:58 , Matt VerriRaducanu constructs the point nicely, but then gets the overhead all wrong. 0-15... goes without saying, but she cannot afford to be broken here.
And now a wild forehand, Sabalenka with a big chance at 0-30.
Three break points, Raducanu sends a backhand into the net. Big, big trouble for her.
Sabalenka throws one of those away with a terrible attempt at a drop shot.
But that return does for Raducanu, Sabalenka breaks and will serve for the match.
Sabalenka 7-6 4-4* Raducanu
21:54Backhand catches the line and Sabalenka backs it up with an ace. 30-0, not much you can do about that.
That, though, is not very good. To put it mildly. Volley sent a few feet beyond the baseline.
Doesn’t cost her, still a routine hold to 15 for the world number one.
Sabalenka 7-6 *3-4 Raducanu
21:50 , Matt VerriAnother break point needs to be saved, as Raducanu pulls the forehand wide on the run.
A quiet groan as Raducanu then sends it long. Sabalenka breaks and we’re back on serve.
Sabalenka 7-6 2-4* Raducanu
21:49 , Matt VerriSabalenka midway through another scream as she dumps a forehand into the net and immediately aborts it.
Sliced return then lands long, Raducanu 40-15 up. Make that 40-30, unforced error with the forehand. Needs to find a way to get out of this game.
Work to be done - deuce. Sabalenka’s drop shot proves too good.
Break point now, forehand winner crushed crosscourt from Sabalenka. Raducanu saves it!
Back to deuce. Settle in, been here before.
Sabalenka 7-6 2-4* Raducanu
21:44 , Matt VerriSabalenka’s shrieks are getting louder.
Thunders down the first serve and Raducanu at full stretch can’t get enough racket on it.
Could prove a crucial hold.
Sabalenka 7-6 *1-4 Raducanu
21:42 , Matt VerriRaducanu’s box on their feet as she hammers a flat forehand winner down the line. 0-30... double break?
Maybe not. Sabalenka steps up with two biiig first serves that aren’t returned. 30-30.
Break point! Raducanu slips, gets up, runs down the drop shot... and makes the volley!
Rare loose shot from Raducanu, forehand long. Deuce.
Sabalenka 7-6 *1-4 Raducanu
21:37 , Matt VerriRaducanu on the run... can’t make the forehand. 0-30 and Sabalenka looking to break straight back.
But the Briton responds well, second serve is a really good one and she scrambles back to 30-30.
Serve skids off the line, 40-30 and one point away from consolidating the break.
Which she does! Makes the volley, massive roar.
Sabalenka 7-6 1-3* Raducanu
21:32 , Matt VerriCouple of loose forehands from Sabalenka and Raducanu has a bit of an opening at 15-30.
More than that now - two break points!
And one will do! Brilliant return from Raducanu and she moves a break up in the second set.
Sabalenka 7-6 *1-2 Raducanu
21:28 , Matt VerriRaducanu has responded well to the disappointment of that first set.
Up to the net and calmly puts away the backhand. Double fault slows her progress, but still in control of this game at 40-15.
Sabalenka hammers a forehand into the net. Raducanu back in front at the change of ends.
Sabalenka 7-6 1-1* Raducanu
21:25 , Matt VerriRaducanu just trying to neutralise the Sabalenka serve, slicing it back.
Hasn’t really got into a rally in this game, world number one looking pretty solid again.
Bit too casual with that drop shot, though. Sabalenka taps it into the net with Raducanu stranded miles behind the baseline.
But it matters not, as Raducanu slices into the top of the net. Sabalenka holds.
Sabalenka 7-6 *0-1 Raducanu
21:21 , Matt VerriWhat does Raducanu have left in the tank after that body blow of losing the set?
Sabalenka increasingly turning to the drop shot, but can’t quite the make volley as Raducanu flicks the ball back.
First serve out wide doesn’t come back and Raducanu has an opening hold in the set.
Sabalenka 7-6 Raducanu
21:16 , Matt VerriRaducanu flings the ball up in the air, lands long. Set point Sabalenka at 7-6... she had seven of these earlier in the set.
She takes this one!
Sabalenka up to the net and drops the volley over. Raducanu has nothing to show for a mammoth effort in that set.
Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu
21:14 , Matt VerriMood summed up by applause as Sabalenka goes long with the first serve.
So brave, so good! Drop shot from Sabalenka is judged perfectly, Raducanu left with no chance. 6-6.
72 minutes gone in this set and nothing to split them still.
Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu
21:13 , Matt VerriSabalenka rushes up to the net to put away the drive volley... just wide! Nobody was sure for a second, but it’s 5-5.
Great second serve from Raducanu! Set point - she leads 6-5 in the breaker.
Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu
21:12 , Matt VerriRaducanu has a chance to make the pass, but Sabalenka reads it and puts away the volley into the empty court. 4-3 up and with the mini-break.
But Raducanu responds with a deep return, level again! 4-4.
That’s too good. Sabalenka pummeling away with the forehand and the winner inevitably comes. 5-4.
Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu
21:09 , Matt VerriCrowd cheer a return winner for Raducanu - only problem is it was out. 3-2 Sabalenka.
But we’re still on serve, Sabalenka blinks first in the rally. 3-3 at the change of ends.
Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu
21:08 , Matt Verri“Let’s goooooo” screams Sabalenka after putting away the smash. 1-0.
Good response, Raducanu ace down the T. 1-1.
First mini-break, as Raducanu misfires with the backhand. 2-1 Sabalenka.
Back on serve! Raducanu wrong-foots Sabalenka with the crosscourt forehand. 2-2.
Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu
21:05 , Matt VerriStress again for Raducanu.
Sabalenka with the backhand winner and it’s 0-30. Can Raducanu dig herself out of trouble again?
It’s three break points for Sabalenka, drop shot brings Raducanu forward and then lob sails over her perfectly, landing in.
One down, as Sabalenka slaps a forehand into the net. And there goes the second, backhand wide from the world number one.
Sabalenka breaks! Forehand from Raducanu is long, we’re going to a tie-break.
Sabalenka 5-6* Raducanu
21:00 , Matt VerriHere. We. Go.
Two stunning backhand passes down the line and Raducanu gets to 0-30!
But now a real scare, awkward slip for Raducanu as she gets to a drop shot but loses her balance. Stays down for a while, over to the chair to put some ice on her thigh but eventually she trudges back to the baseline.
Whatever that few seconds of ice did, it worked. Flat backhand brings up two set points!
Great defence from Raducanu, but net cord for Sabalenka saves the first one them.
RADUCANU BREAKS! She takes the second of those break points and she will serve for the set!
Centre Court at fever pitch.
Sabalenka *5-5 Raducanu
20:55 , Matt VerriAnd now an almighty roar as Raducanu gets herself to advantage after saving all those set points. Perfect forehand.
Nope, back to deuce. Raducanu with a drop shot that barely made it to the net, let alone clear it. Could be here forever.
Or not - SHE HOLDS!
Greeted with the kind of cheer you’d expect for winning Wimbledon.
Sabalenka 5-4* Raducanu
20:52 , Matt VerriRelentless pressure. Back to set point after a deep return from Sabalenka proves too good.
But again Raducanu holds on! Second serve kicks up and gets her back to deuce. Marathon game, crowd trying to rally Raducanu.
But she nets the forehand, a seventh set point coming for Sabalenka.
Madness - this one saved too! Sabalenka sends a second-serve return long.
Sabalenka 5-4* Raducanu
20:49 , Matt VerriRaducanu goes for another forehand down the line - just long.
But that’s then a brilliant shot, falling back after Sabalenka dropped the return at her feet.
Sabalenka crunches a forehand winner and Raducanu then nets - set point Sabalenka.
Ace at a perfect time from Raducanu, but the firehand then flies long again. Set point saved again by a first serve!
Third one coming up, after Raducanu slips behind the baseline. And another first serve that doesn’t come back. Raducanu hanging on for dear life.
Fourth set point... fourth unreturned serve on set point.
Double fault! Raducanu’s serve turning up every other point. Sabalenka with a fifth chance to seal the set.
Saved! Not the serve but a backhand from Sabalenka that lands just wide. Deeeeuce.
Sabalenka 5-4* Raducanu
20:40 , Matt VerriHuge shriek of ‘come on’ from Sabalenka. Momentum firmly with her all of a sudden, as Raducanu again can’t find her range from the baseline.
And another wild backhand - errors mounting from the Raducanu racket. 30-0.
More like it! Raducanu with a great forehand down the line to end a run of eight straight points for Sabalenka.
Not enough to trouble the world number one though. Raducanu will serve to stay in the set.
Sabalenka *4-4 Raducanu
20:36 , Matt VerriTrouble...
Sabalenka steps into a second-serve return and a scrambling Raducanu can’t get it back. 0-30.
Slice from Raducanu then floats long and the world number one has three break points.
Raducanu then throws in a poor forehand and that’s a loose game. Broken to love.
Sabalenka 3-4* Raducanu
20:32 , Matt VerriNormal service resumed?
Big first serve, big forehand and it’s an easy point on serve for Sabalenka.
Raducanu then has a swing at the second serve, can’t quite make the return. 40-0.
Brilliant drop shot from Raducanu extends the game briefly, but she then loops a forehand long.
Sabalenka *2-4 Raducanu
20:30 , Matt VerriSeriously good from Raducanu, she’s all over Sabalenka at the minute.
Nearly literally too - sends a smash flying straight at the world number one. 30-0.
Long rally, Raducanu eventually goes for the big forehand down the line - nets it.
Raducanu wins the point - crowd don’t realise it until the hawk-eye replay comes up on the screen.
Sabalenka then finds a ridiculous angle with the forehand, hand up in apology suggests that was not particularly deliberate. 40-30, big point coming up.
Second serve lands right on the line, skids on and Sabalenka can do nothing with it. Hold!
Sabalenka 2-3* Raducanu
20:24 , Matt VerriThird time lucky? Sabalenka’s break point smacks into the top of the net and drops back on her side of the court. Break point again.
TAKES IT! Sabalenka nets the backhand and that’s as loud as any court has been all week. Massive noise.
Raducanu a break up!
Sabalenka *2-2 Raducanu
20:22 , Matt VerriDrop shot from Raducanu not quite good enough, Sabalenka runs that down and flicks it back over. Lovely touch.
Sabalenka hitting harder and harder, shouting louder and louder... but that’s long and it’s 30-30. Chance for Raducanu. Great atmosphere under the roof.
Break point! Forehand down the line from Raducanu is too good, even as she slips.
118mph ace down the T. One way of telling everyone to calm down.
But there’s another break point coming, Sabalenka gets herself into a mess and the backhand lands wide.
Sabalenka to the net... makes the volley! Back to deuce.
Sabalenka *2-2 Raducanu
20:17 , Matt VerriConfident start this from Raducanu, looking rock solid on serve.
Backhand winner and then a cheap point to get to 30-0... make that 40-0 with an ace down the T.
Another loud Centre Court roar tells you that’s a swift hold to love.
Sabalenka 2-1* Raducanu
20:14 , Matt VerriSabalenka throws her head back in frustration after sending a tame forehand into the net.
Raducanu with a couple of errors of her own, going for too much and Sabalenka can just move out the way and watch the bail sail long.
Big, big serving already from the world number one, up at around 120mph. And she matches that with a lovely backhand winner crosscourt to hold.
Sabalenka *1-1 Raducanu
20:10 , Matt VerriDouble fault from Raducanu, but follows it with a swinging ace out wide.
Sabalenka then goes comfortably long with the forehand, before slicing low into the net.
Raducanu with a routine hold.
Sabalenka 1-0* Raducanu
20:07 , Matt VerriSHOT. Massive roar as Raducanu makes a brilliant return winner. Forehand crushed down the line.
That’s break point... and that’s deuce as Sabalenka responds with an unreturned serve.
Another one follows, before Sabalenka puts away the forehand to hold.
Sabalenka *0-0 Raducanu
20:06 , Matt VerriOne point in and Raducanu’s coach Mark Petchey is on his feet. Start as you mean to go on. Bit more muted when Sabalenka then thunders down a huge first serve.
World number one misfires with the backhand, 30-30. Good start from Raducanu in terms of the baseline exchanges.
Another unforced error from Sabalenka and it’s deuce.
Sabalenka to serve first. Crucial that Raducanu can make an impression on return as quickly as possible.
PLAY.
Here we go!
19:56 , Matt VerriRaducanu and Sabalenka stride out onto Centre Court.
The roof has been closed, to ensure no delays later this evening in case this match does drag on and darkness becomes an issue.
Hat-trick for the Brits!
19:47 , Matt VerriIt’s been a perfect day so far for the British players.
Sonay Kartal and Cameron Norrie have both booked their places in the last-16, lifting the mood after Jack Draper’s shock exit last night.
Now it’s over to Emma Raducanu - but she has the toughest test out of anyone.
Game, set and match!
19:41 , Matt VerriAs expected, Carlos Alcaraz wraps up victory.
He’ll have a brief on-court interview, and then the focus will turn to this final match of the day on Centre Court.
Emma Raducanu vs Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the last-16. Strap in.
Alcaraz breaks!
19:37 , Matt VerriCarlos Alcaraz picks his moment perfectly.
He’s just broken to lead 5-4 in the fourth set and will now serve for the match on Centre Court.
Would suggest Raducanu and Sabalenka might want to start their final stretches.
Raducanu enjoying herself
19:28 , Matt VerriI say they’ll be watching closely...
Emma Raducanu seems to have other things on her mind.
Looks decently two-footed with the ball at her feet. Sarina Wiegman, take note.
Is Emma Raducanu warming up for the Women's Euros or #Wimbledon? 🤩 pic.twitter.com/evTx7FkMQd
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 4, 2025
Centre Court update...
19:22 , Matt VerriJan-Lennard Struff is hanging in there.
He leads 4-3 in a fourth set that is still on serve. Carlos Alcaraz certainly not having it his own way.
He’s a break away from Struff serving to take it to a decider - but equally only a few games away from victory.
Raducanu and Sabalenka will be watching closely as they prepare to take centre stage.
Raducanu coming off 'one of best matches'
19:11 , Matt VerriBut...
Raducanu can take confidence from a superb display in the second-round.
It could have been a tricky test against 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, but Raducanu breezed past the Czech.
That was as good as the Briton has looked in a long time, and she was understandably thrilled after the match.
“I think that was one of the best matches I've played in a long time, which I'm veryproud of.
“At the same time, I didn't feel like I was doing anything outrageous, which gives me a lot of confidence. I think I was just doing the basics very, very well.
“But yeah, I think I executed really well today. I'm just so happy to have that level.”
Raducanu must overcome struggles
19:01 , Matt VerriEmma Raducanu has struggled in her recent matches against the world’s best.
She won just three games against Iga Swiatek at the French Open, as many as she managed against Coco Gauff in Rome.
At the Australian Open, Swiatek hammered Raducanu 6-1 6-0.
Raducanu has found it hard to be competitive against those at the top of the rankings, let alone beat them.
Something needs to change this evening.
Centre Court update...
18:50Reminder that Emma Raducanu vs Aryna Sabalenka is the final match on Centre Court this evening.
They will be on following the conclusion of Carlos Alcaraz’s match with Jan-Lennard Struff.
The German has taken a set off Alcaraz, but the defending champion has just won the third and leads 6-1 3-6 6-3.
Might not be much longer until Raducanu and Sabalenka are up!
Elsewhere at Wimbledon
18:36 , Matt VerriDelay it as he has and request otherwise as he might, Cameron Norrie’s time to take centre stage at Wimbledon has arrived.
There was little attention on the 29-year-old heading into these Championships, the focus instead largely on Jack Draper and the assumption that he would lead the home charge over this fortnight.
But Draper has succumbed to a early exit, as he did a year ago when losing to Norrie, and the thirst for British success must be quenched elsewhere. There will be no Burberry influencers in tow, the montages not quite as well-prepared, but Norrie finds himself in possession of the baton.
He has made it clear he has little desire to grace Centre Court, preferring the setting and atmosphere of Court No1, and he looked at home once again in first battling and then cruising to a 7-6 6-4 6-3 third-round win over Mattia Bellucci.
Standard Sport prediction
18:21It’s as tough a test as it gets for Raducanu.
Sabalenka does not lose in the early rounds of Grand Slams and is very much the best player in the world right now.
Raducanu will have the Centre Court crowd right behind her and has been impressive so far this week, but this is likely to prove a step too far.
Sabalenka to win, straight sets.
Raducanu vs Sabalenka head-to-head
18:09 , Matt VerriRaducanu and Sabalenka have only met once before on the WTA Tour.
It was Sabalenka who came out on top, winning 6-3 7-5 in the last 32 at Indian Wells last year.
This, as you can therefore probably work out, is their first meeting on grass.
How to watch Raducanu vs Sabalenka
18:01 , Matt VerriTV channel: In the UK, live free-to-air coverage of Wimbledon began earlier today on BBC Two from 11am BST, continuing right through to 7pm.
Live coverage also commences from 2pm BST on BBC One, returning at 7pm after an hour’s break for the national and regional news.
Live stream: You can watch the action live and for free online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
Live blog: You can follow the match right here with us!
Hello and welcome!
17:54 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Emma Raducanu’s third-round match against Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon.
The British No1 battles the world No1 on Centre Court in a mouth-watering encounter, that is slated for a 7.15pm BST start.
Stay tuned for all the updates!
