Sonay Kartal and Cam Norrie are shining brightly for British tennis as they advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon with impressive straight-set victories on No.1 Court. This marks a significant achievement for Kartal, who has reached this stage at SW19 for the first time, defeating French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4, 6-2 in just 84 minutes. In a remarkable comeback, Kartal rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the second set, ultimately showcasing her powerful top spin forehand and effective slice to dominate her opponent.
Norrie, the 2022 semi-finalist, also displayed resilience against Italian player Mattia Bellucci, overcoming an early setback to secure a 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2 victory. Highlighting the match, Norrie delivered a spectacular backhand pass during the crucial tie-break at 5-5, which swung the momentum in his favor. He broke Bellucci three times in the final set, setting up a round of 16 clash with either Joao Fonseca or qualifier Nico Jarry.
In a late-night match on Centre Court, Emma Raducanu faced a tough challenge against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. Despite leading twice in the first set and serving for the set at 6-5, Raducanu ultimately fell short, losing 7-6(6), 6-4. The match lasted just over two hours, and Raducanu demonstrated resilience, battling through numerous set points before Sabalenka closed it out with an impressive performance, finishing with 31 winners.
In doubles action, defending champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara continue their title defense, advancing to the third round after defeating Brits Billy Harris and Marcus Willis 7-6(6), 6-3. In a surprising turn, Maia Lumsden and David Stevenson upset the British duo of Jamie Murray and Emily Appleton with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the mixed doubles.
With Kartal and Norrie carrying the hopes of British fans forward into the tournament, there remains a sense of optimism and excitement for what lies ahead in Wimbledon. Their determination and grit serve as an inspiration for many, while Raducanu’s competitive spirit continues to shine even in defeat.