How Emma Raducanu can 'bother' Aryna Sabalenka as BBC Wimbledon pundit lavishes praise

Emma Raducanu has been backed to 'bother' world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka after her latest strong showing at Wimbledon. In her most impressive display of the season, the 22-year-old blew away 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova on Centre Court, winning 6-3 6-3.

Amid an electric atmosphere at SW19, Raducanu rarely looked in trouble as she wrapped up the win in 82 minutes. She'll arguably have to raise her game again on Friday, though, when she faces Sabalenka, who also beat a Czech player today in Marie Bouzkova 7-6(4), 6-4. However, BBC pundit Tracy Austin believes the British No.1 is showing the form to potentially cause another upset.

That was the best I have seen her play since the US Open," said the American after her match. "Her tennis was sensational. The return of serve was phenomenal. I would say she has a chance to beat Sabalenka."

Like Raducanu, Austin was also a teenager when she won the US Open in 1979, aged just 16. She also outlined why she thinks the home hero has the game to thwart the Belarusian's quest for a first-ever Wimbledon title.

"First of all, Sabalenka has one of the biggest serves in women's tennis," she told Clare Balding. "But Emma, the way that she returned today, the way that she was seeing the ball and hitting it out in front, if she can maintain that, maybe she'll be able to rush her.

"Her backhand slice as well. There are things that Emma can do, if she can move like she did today, maintain consistency, move the ball from side to side that she does so well....there are a lot of parts of Emma's game that could bother Sabalenka."

Raducanu was all smiles in her post-court interview, and despite acknowledging the size of the task ahead of her, insisted all expectation was on Sabalenka. She said: "She is No.1 in the world right now, so dominant on the tour and has won literally everything, so it is going to be a really difficult match.

"I'm just so happy with how I performed, and all I can do is control my side of the court as best as possible. When you play an opponent like her, you know you have to play well, so I guess there is no pressure on me at all in the next round."