Wimbledon Day 3 schedule as Raducanu faces tough test and Alcaraz to play
After breezing past Mimi Xu in straight sets on Monday, Raducanu has carved her path into Wimbledon's second round where she'll play to the tune of an eager home crowd.
She's up against 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in what's pegged as the closing match of the day on Centre Court, a position earned through a challenging draw. The British No.1 is no stranger to Vondrousova's prowess, having tasted defeat in their last two encounters.
Notwithstanding, Raducanu did clinch victory in their sole Wimbledon clash back in 2021 – a win secured in remarkable straight sets, reports the Mirror.
"It will be a really difficult match – obviously she has won Wimbledon," declared Raducanu. "[She's an] amazing grass court player, in general. I think it's going to be a really difficult match. I'm going to need to play very well to get over the line."
Reminiscing about her 2021 triumph over Vondrousova, Raducanu said: "I remember I played really good tennis. I remember I played one of the best matches I've played. I was so aggressive, took the ball on.
"Obviously since she's won the Wimbledon title and had a lot more success on grass. I remember that was a big change, a big turning point for me. I'm looking forward, again, to have the opportunity to be in the second round. I'm grateful for that."
The 2022 US Open champion is not taking Marketa Vondrousova lightly, but should she emerge victorious, a challenging encounter with Aryna Sabalenka could be on the cards.
World No. 1 Sabalenka is set to face Marie Bouzkova at 1.30pm on Centre Court this Wednesday.
After sailing through her first match against qualifier Carson Branstine, Sabalenka is tipped as one of the title contenders, especially after her runner-up finish at the French Open where she lost to Coco Gauff.
Following Sabalenka's match, British qualifier Oliver Tarvet will take on the monumental task of playing defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court. Tarvet, who impressed everyone by defeating Leandro Riedi on Monday, has been rewarded with a huge match-up.
Ranked world No. 733 and having won three qualifiers to reach the main draw, Tarvet is set to play against world No.2 Alcaraz in what he describes as the biggest match of his life. "You never know what can happen in tennis," he remarked.
"I'm quietly confident that I can win against anyone.
"Alcaraz isn't an exception to that. Obviously, he's done an incredible amount in the tennis world. He's a difficult guy not to respect. But yeah, just go out there and try and treat it like another match."
Cameron Norrie will kick off the action on Court One against American 12th seed Frances Tiafoe, followed by British No. 2 Katie Boulter who faces Argentina's Solana Sierra.
Taylor Fritz, after surviving a five-set thriller against the powerful serves of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, is set to play Canada's Gabriel Diallo in the last scheduled match on Court One.
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