Wimbledon 2025: Sabalenka denies Raducanu in dramatic battle, Alcaraz advances – as it happened
Time to sign off from another thrilling, relentless day of action at the All-England Club,I’ll leave you with Tumaini Carayol’s report from Centre Court,Thanks for joining me,Bye!Centre Court (1,30pm BST start)
Jannik Sinner (1) v Pedro Martínez
Iga Swiatek (8) v Danielle Collins
Miomir Kecmanovic v Novak Djokovic (6)No 1 Court (1pm BST start)
Mirra Andreeva (7) v Hailey Baptiste
Barbora Krejcikova (17) v Emma Navarro (10)
Ben Shelton (10) v Marton FucsovicsNo 2 Court (11am BST start)
Clara Tauson (23) v Elena Rybakina (11)
Alex de Minaur (11) v August HolmgrenNo 3 Court (11am BST start)
Daria Kasatkina (16) v Liudmila Samsonova (19)
Grigor Dimitrov (19) v Sebastian OfnerCourt 12 (11am BST start)
F Cobolli (22) v Jakub Mensik (15)
Zeynep Sonmez v Ekaterina Alexandrova (18)Singles matches/selected courts only; full schedule hereSabalenka denies Raducanu in epic battleKartal sweeps past Parry to reach last 16Norrie marches on with win over BellucciSiegemund shines, Keys and Osaka go outShelton finishes off match in 70 secondsAustralia’s Thompson sets up Fritz clashDraper claims line calls ‘not 100% accurate’Diary: Ivanisevic attacks Tsitsipas’ fitnessRaducanu might feel disappointed at the way things unravelled from 4-1 and break point up – but she can take a lot of positives from her performance.
She found ways to rattle the world No 1, and showed tremendous mental toughness to repel seven set points in the first set.In the end, though, Sabalenka wasn’t to be denied.Emma Raducanu left Centre Court prior to that interview, cheered to the rafters.Her defeat means that two British players remain in the singles draws – Sonay Kartal and Cam Norrie.Let’s hear from Aryna Sabalenka now.
“She played such incredible tennis, I had to fight for every point like crazy.I’m happy to see her healthy and back on track, I’m pretty sure she can get back to the top 10.I just tried to put the pressure on her.”She thanks the crowd for the atmosphere.“I just pretending you were cheering for me,” she jokes.
“I’ve had recent experiences where I completely lost myself, and I just kept telling myself, ‘don’t make that mistake again.’”Her verdict on the match? “I’ll just say wow – unbelievable.” Which is fair enough.Raducanu misses a half-chance at a return down the line, and Sabalenka moves 30-0 up with a backhand winner.An unreturnable forehand brings up three match points, a missed winner and double fault get the crowd murmuring again, but Raducanu sends the next serve into the net.
It’s all over, and the world No 1 prevails!Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 5-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) One break point is fended off but Sabalenka is simply too good on the next, a skidding, low return down the line sealing the break.Fifteen minutes ago, a decider looked certain – now Sabalenka can serve it out.Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 4-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Raducanu lets Sabalenka stay in the point too long, then skews an awkward volley wide.A wild forehand, and another unforced error into the net, and suddenly Raducanu is staring at three break points …Second set: Sabalenka 7-6, 4-4 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) So, from double-break point up, Raducanu has let her level drop slightly and been punished by the world No 1.Sabalenka is back on top, crouching to find the line with a backhand and drilling down a 110mph ace.
And now, the pressure drops back onto Raducanu’s shoulders …Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 3-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Having looked second-best for the last few games, Sabalenka unleashes a cross-court winner to earn break point – but Raducanu rescues it by changing direction after a net cord almost throws her off balance.Sabalenka is locked in again now, though, and has too much in the next two rallies, Raducanu sending the ball long.Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 2-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Sabalenka looks furious with herself after netting from a presentable chance.She’s not rediscovered her first-set level, but from 40-15 up, Raducanu nets a shot down the line, and then can’t get up to a drop shot in time.It’s another deuce …Second set: Sabalenka 7-6, 2-4 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Sabalenka outlasts Raducanu in the next rally, and digs out the hold with an ace down the middle.
Still, it’s advantage Raducanu in this second set.Second set: Sabalenka 7-6, 1-4 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Raducanu is coping with Sabalenka’s pace now, and a lovely backhand down the line gets her 0-30 in front.Sabalenka fights back with big body serves, but despite slipping in the next point, Raducanu gets to the net and sets up a double-break point.She goes long, much to the crowd’s dismay, and it’s deuce.Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 1-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Raducanu was pegged back after breaking in the first set, mainly because Sabalenka quickly upped her level.
She stays in the rally here, all 14 shots of it, to go 0-30 up.Raducanu needs to break this pattern, and gets back to 30-all with a sliced second serve, then game point with a body serve.Suddenly it’s Sabalenka on the back foot, and a tidy volley backs up the break!Second set: Sabalenka 7-6, 1-3 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Elise Mertens awaits in the next round for the winner; the Belgian has won two doubles slams alongside Sabalenka.But never mind that – Sabalenka’s forehand radar has gone awry again, a fourth unforced error helping Raducanu edge ahead.Two break points earned as Sabalenka misreads a bounce, and an excellent return gets it done!Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 1-2 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Raducanu has her first serve working well, holding to 15, Sabalenka’s only point coming from a double fault.
Second set: Sabalenka 7-6, 1-1 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) If Raducanu is to turn this match around, it might take until tomorrow – the curfew is around 95 minutes away.Sabalenka appears to be cruising at 40-15, but mistimes a drop shot.No matter – a Raducanu forehand sits up and is drilled into the corner.Second set: *Sabalenka 7-6, 0-1 Raducanu (*denotes next server) After battling so hard to stay in that set, then missing a chance to serve it out, Emma Raducanu now has to hold in order to keep Sabalenka in her sights.She gets a welcome bit of luck here, Sabalenka’s slice missing the line by a hair’s breadth, and holds to 15.
“This doesn’t feel like a third-round match,” says Tracy Austin on the BBC, and I’m inclined to agree,Austin also notes that Raducanu got ahead in the set by stepping back from the baseline, only for Sabalenka to wrest it back by coming in to the net,Sabalenka finds her fastest serve yet to earn an eighth set point – and this time, she leaves Raducanu no room at the net and feathers a volley to finally settle a titanic, 74-minute set!First-set tie-break: Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu On second serve, deep into the rally, Sabalenka digs out an outrageous spinning drop shot,We change ends again; I can’t quite believe someone will lose this set, but there we are,First-set tie-break: Sabalenka 5-6 Raducanu Sabalenka has been a touch too keen on a couple of big points, going for a volley which flies wide after racing up to the net.
Five-all, on Raducanu’s serve, and she has her first set point as Sabalenka nets her return …First-set tie-break: Sabalenka 5-4 Raducanu A chance for Raducanu to go down the line with Sabalenka at the net, but she opts to try and go across her opponent, and is picked off,Another mini-break, cancelled out by a strong Raducanu return – but the world No 1 then finds the sharpest of angles to edge back in front …First-set tie-break: Sabalenka 3-3 Raducanu On second serve, Raducanu goes for the corner but sends it just wide,She gets the better of the next rally, though, and it’s 3-3 at the changeover,First-set tie-break: Sabalenka 2-2 Raducanu Aryna Sabalenka has won her last 12 tie-breaks, by the way, and she takes the first point with an overhead smash,Raducanu finds an ace, but misses the baseline again with a backhand.
A smooth slice and a nice change of direction gets Raducanu back level …First set: *Sabalenka 6-6 Raducanu (*denotes next server) The first is cheaply surrendered as Sabalenka nets, and then an ambitious backhand down the line flies wide,But just as Raducanu looks to be back in the game, a forehand drifts long,A tie-break it is …First set: *Sabalenka 5-6 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Sabalenka eats up a second serve – just 4 of 13 points won by Raducanu so far – to go 30-0 up,A drop shot and a perfectly judged lob earn her three break points,Can she convert this time?First set: *Sabalenka 5-6 Raducanu (*denotes next server) Exceptional fortitude from Raducanu in the last two games – and now she’s serving for the first set.
Will it be straightforward? Probably not.After putting an ice pack on her hip at the changeover, the British No 1 is welcomed back with a venomous return winner from Sabalenka …First set: Sabalenka 5-6 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Raducanu wins the next to earn two break points, cheered on by her friends, who have packed out the players’ box.Sabalenka gets a fortunate net-cord bounce, but in the next rally, it’s Raducanu who takes charge – and breaks again!First set: Sabalenka 5-5 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Raducanu, reinvigorated by that remarkable game, floats a winner down the line – and then another, this time hit flat and leaving Sabalenka on her heels.0-30.What a set this is.
But then Raducanu, trying to chase down a drop shot, slips and lands heavily.Sabalenka is up to the net to check on her, but thankfully, she seems OK.First set: *Sabalenka 5-5 Raducanu (*denotes next server) We’re past the eight-minute mark, and a ferocious return earns set point No 6.A spinning second serve is wildly mishit.Sabalenka drills a 90mph forehand to earn set point No 7 … but the backhand return flies long on second serve!Raducanu finally earns her first game point, spin and slice helping her dictate the point.
But then a drop-slice fails to make it over the net.Twelve minutes … and Raducanu wisely goes back to Sabalenka’s backhand on serve to win the next point.The world No 1 then skids an effort long and Raducanu holds! Seven set points, seen off.First set: *Sabalenka 5-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) A big test of nerve here, serving to stay in the set – and she absorbs a big forehand, steering it into the open court.Sabalenka is really unleashing her power now though, and earns a break and set point – saved by an ace down the middle.
Another break/set point is won in a rally, and saved with an accurate first serve – but Raducanu is struggling to keep the length on her shots, and loses her footing to offer up another break point.Again, it’s rescued by her first serve – and she repeats the trick on Sabalenka’s fourth set point.What next? Oh, a double fault – but Sabalenka then sends her attempted winner wide …Raducanu was checking her strings after struggling to control the ball in the last couple of games – but it’s Sabalenka who gets a new racket, freshly restrung, delivered by her hitting partner.She looks a bit confused, having turned the set around with her current choice of racket, but eventually accepts it.First set: Sabalenka 5-4 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Sabalenka has made a few uncharacteristic errors and looked a little downbeat, but she’s finding her groove now, making it nine points in a row before Raducanu finds the baseline at 40-0 down.
It’s a brief reprieve, Sabalenka smashing down an unreturnable serve.First set: *Sabalenka 4-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) One surprising early stat is that Raducanu is winning more of the longer rallies.She’s played a solid defensive game so far, but is in a bit of trouble here at 0-30 down, a second serve belted back down the line by Sabalenka.The slice that’s been serving Raducanu so well drifts long, and Sabalenka has three break points.She takes the first, Raducanu again unable to keep the ball in court as her opponents finds an extra gear.
First set: Sabalenka 3-4 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Raducanu queries a call with the umpire, with Hawk-Eye suggesting the ball was in by 0.4mm.It helps Sabalenka to 40-0, and while a delicate Raducanu drop shot prolongs the game, she grinds her way through the next rally.First set: *Sabalenka 2-4 Raducanu (*denotes next server) A long way to go, of course, but this is about as good a start as Emma Raducanu could have hoped for.An ace and a smashed volley make it 10/10 first-serve points won and when she lets Sabalenka back into a point, the world No 1 sends a floating shot a fraction wide.
The fine margins going Raducanu’s way, so far.First set: Sabalenka 2-3 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) Sabalenka is the world’s top player by a distance, but has suffered painful defeats in two slam finals this year.At 30-all, there’s another test of mettle as Raducanu hits a winner down the line despite a stumble.A mighty ace down the middle takes care of that, but Sabalenka then mistimes a forehand.Break point, saved neatly at the net, but Raducanu gets another chance.
She somehow returns a brutal first serve, and Sabalenka eventually nets!First set: *Sabalenka 2-2 Raducanu (*denotes next server) An encouraging service hold for Raducanu, holding to love with two aces in the mix.Now she changes rackets to return, an interesting tactic that we also saw Laura Siegemund use effectively earlier on today.First set: Sabalenka 2-1 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) I should add that the roof was closed in the break between matches, to avoid any further delay later on.Sabalenka has made some early unforced errors but shows signs of finding her range here, a fizzing backhand securing the game.First set: *Sabalenka 1-1 Raducanu (*denotes next server) A big moment for Raducanu after a strong opening game – there’s an early double fault, a bold ace out wide and a miss from Sabalenka as she holds to 15.
First set: Sabalenka 1-0 Raducanu* (*denotes next server) A couple of missed shots early on from Sabalenka bring up our first deuce – and Raducanu punches an 82mph return for break points,A pair of huge first serves turn things around, and Sabalenka comes in behind her serve to secure the hold,Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka are out on court, ready for battle,There are a few empty seats around Centre Court, but they still get a rapturous reception,After one final, punishing rally, both players chasing from side to side, Khachanov puts a winner just out of his opponent’s reach, and slumps to the floor.
He’ll face Kamil Majchrzak next and will be favourite, not that it means much at this year’s Championship,Khachanov takes charge early on, and leads 8-3 in a first-to-10 race,Borges fights back, though, saving two match points on serve to trail 9-8,But now his opponent has ball in hand …Just one live singles match still ongoing – Borges and Khachanov are locked in a super-tie-breaker, after the Russian broke back to deny Borges victory,That match has been going on for three hours and 45 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz chats to Annabel Croft,“I knew this would be very difficult, his game is very well-suited to grass,I try to take the opportunities that he brought to me, and I’m just pleased to get the win in four sets,It was stressful! Any time he could push me, he did it,It was just a case of trying to survive.
Then he missed that volley – I can’t believe I’m standing here now.”He’s also asked about playing golf with Andy Murray recently – he says they played twice recently, and won a round each.“We need a decider,” he adds, and everyone on Centre Court chuckles gently, because this is Wimbledon.From being mired in a real battle, Alcaraz has the chance to serve out and get off court.He does so in style, holding to love – and Struff will be left to rue an easy volley on game point just a few moments ago