Raducanu's dream ends: Incredible Lulu Sun silences Wimbledon crowd and advances to Quarterfinals
WTA
Lulu
Sun (No. 123) continues her dream run after defeating Emma Raducanu (No. 135)
6-2, 5-7, 6-2 at Wimbledon and is now into the quarterfinals. The New Zealander
keeps making her way through the All England Club, becoming the first qualifier
to reach the quarterfinals since Kaia Kanepi in 2010.
Sun
has now achieved seven consecutive wins in SW19, considering the qualifying
rounds. The 23-year-old surprised everyone in the first round by defeating the
8th seed Zheng Qinwen and has proven with each passing round that it was no
fluke. Against Raducanu, she dominated with her serve and didn't seem fazed by
her debut on Centre Court against the home favorite.
Unexpected clash in the Round of 16
An
unexpected clash took place in the Round of 16, with two players outside the
top 100 fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals. Both displayed a level of
tennis worthy of the stage, providing a spectacle where they showcased their
best. Sun had a blistering start, securing two consecutive breaks and advancing
to 3-0 in just a few minutes.
Raducanu
responded by breaking back in the fourth game, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Sun
played an all-or-nothing game, being much more aggressive than her opponent,
hitting 15 winners compared to Raducanu's 2, and both players committed 10
unforced errors each. The New Zealander frequently approached the net for short
points and secured another break in the 7th game, closing the set in her favor
6-2.
Sun
didn't succumb to the pressure of Centre Court, which was fully supporting
Raducanu, the only Briton to reach the fourth round in both the male and female
draws. The second set was even more thrilling, with opportunities for both
players in most games. In a match that often seemed more mental, both players
saved multiple break points. Sun remained more aggressive with 21 winners and
22 unforced errors, against Raducanu's 9 winners and 6 unforced errors.
Emma Raducanu in Wimbledon.
It
seemed the set would go to a tie-break, with neither player breaking the
other's serve. However, Raducanu showed her mettle and, despite some back pain,
broke in the 12th game, taking the set 7-5 and sending the match to a decider.
After
the second set, both players took a brief toilet break. Upon returning, they
played only a few points before Raducanu suffered a fall, requiring a medical
timeout to treat her ankle and back. Unfortunately for the Brit, upon resuming,
Lulu Sun secured the break that would lead to victory.
The lefthanded
showed no doubts with her serve for the rest of the set, maintained her
aggressive game, and closed out the win 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. Sun totaled an
incredible 52 winners and will now face Croatia's Donna Vekic in pursuit of an
unexpected semifinal berth.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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