Wimbledon: ‘Underdog’ Emma Raducanu Uses Peculiar Tactic to Put Maria Sakkari on the Spot Ahead of R3 Clash

It was the 2021 US Open. A qualifier back then, Emma Raducanu was up against seasoned campaigner Maria Sakkari in the semifinals of the tournament. With this huge difference in rankings and experience, the British tennis sensation downplayed her chances ahead of that match. However, Raducanu caused a massive upset and defeated Sakkari in straight sets 6-1, 6-4. As it turned out, the mind games played by Raducanu worked perfectly in her favor, and she is replicating that tactic ahead of her Wimbledon round 3 contest against the same opponent.

Earlier this year Raducanu made a comeback from an injury. However, she has been affected by some inconsistent form and her comeback hasn’t gone exactly according to her plans. Nonetheless, she has entered the third round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and is hoping to dig deep in the tournament.

As she faces Sakkari next, the situation has been somewhat similar to the 2021 US Open, except that this is a third-round contest while that was a semifinal. However, mind games continued as Raducanu revealed during an interview, “It was in the semis of the US Open I think you know circumstances are different like in a third round compared to a semi-final.”

via Reuters

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Further, she also reflected on how she was not well known in the tennis circuit and was just an upcoming player trying to make it big. Raducanu continued, “I think um you know at the time the dynamics were also different you know I was an unknown player pretty much um so I think that is I’m expecting a really tough match. you know she’s top in the world I don’t know top 10 or something so it’s going to be a really difficult one but again one where I’m the complete underdog.”

Despite the Briton prioritizing singles, this is not the only format that she is in contention at Wimbledon. Yesterday, it was revealed that Raducanu is pairing up with Andy Murray.

Emma Raducanu delighted to pair up with Andy MurrayYesterday, the draw for the mixed doubles at Wimbledon was released. A surprise entry into this format was the pairing of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, who have been handed a wild-card entry into the tournament. The British sensation couldn’t control her excitement after pairing up with a legend from her country.

Raducanu revealed during a press conference, “I got asked, and in literally 10 seconds I was like: Yeah. At the end of my life, I know I’m going to have that memory of playing Wimbledon with Andy Murray on a home slam. It was an honor to be asked. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two about coming to the net.”

The duo will also potentially pair up for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. Realistically speaking, this is the only format where the two might hope to finish on the podium. However, with Raducanu, you can never really write her off, can you?