Emma Raducanu is set to play Aryna Sabalenka in the last match of the evening at Wimbledon, drawing significant attention as a primetime event. Despite her ranking of 45, Raducanu's appeal is strong, captivating a packed crowd. Historically, her matches tend to end quickly, with Raducanu not having won a third set at Wimbledon before. Interest surrounding her continues to grow, especially with regard to competing narratives with other players like Sonay Kartal, prompting media speculation and public fascination.
Raducanu isn't just battling the world No 1 here, she's up against Gardeners' World on BBC Two. The hill is packed. Brian Cox and Mary Berry in the Royal Box are transfixed.
This is a player still awaiting her big homecoming, her Centre Court splash. None of which, of course, has stopped people from trying to confect drama around her.
For this is not instinctively a player you associate with edge-of-the-seat drama or vintage comebacks. Usually Raducanu wins in a hurry and loses in a hurry.
Sonay Kartal's progress to the fourth round has been met with a deluge of Raducanu-themed headlines. Kartal steps out of Raducanu's shadow.
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