British wildcard Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon journey came to an end, as she was defeated by New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. Raducanu, 21, who had been hampered by injury, lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a thrilling fourth-round match.
The contest started with Sun displaying an inspired performance, taking the first set 6-2. Raducanu, known for her resilience, fought back to win the second set 7-5, regaining some of her confidence and setting the stage for a decisive third set.
However, the turning point came early in the third set when Raducanu slipped on the baseline during the first game. She stayed down on the grass, shaking her head in pain before eventually getting back to her feet. The match was halted at 15-30 on Raducanu’s serve as she received medical treatment on her leg and back.
“I’ve been managing a stiff back since yesterday. I was feeling it during the match,” Raducanu explained. “I think especially on serve, it was affecting me a bit.”
Despite the injury, a roar of encouragement from the crowd greeted Raducanu as she decided to continue. Nevertheless, she immediately lost her serve and struggled to recover. Her movement during points showed some improvement, though she continued to clasp her back between games.
Raducanu was broken again at 5-2, and despite having two break points in the final game, she could not capitalize on them. Sun served out the match on her second match point, ending Raducanu’s hopes of reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in her career.
Reflecting on the match, Raducanu praised her opponent: “It was a difficult match. I think Lulu played really good tennis. I gave my best, I fought really hard. Her tennis was better and she deserved the win.”
The defeat means that Raducanu, currently ranked world number 135, missed out on advancing further in the tournament. Additionally, her exit signifies that there are no British players left in the singles draws at the All England Club this year.
For Lulu Sun, this victory marks a significant achievement as she continues her remarkable run at Wimbledon, showcasing the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport. As for Raducanu, she will now focus on recovery and preparation for upcoming tournaments, with hopes of returning to form and continuing to inspire fans worldwide.
