Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka staved off an upset bid by resurgent Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon by beating the home favorite 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the third-round at a raucous Centre Court.

“I am pretty sure she will soon be back in the top 10,” said Sabalenka, a comment that felt like more than an empty platitude. A man who knows about entertainment and tennis, Nick Kyrgios, called it “one of the best matches of the championships”. Often a divisive figure, few could disagree with the Australian’s latest outburst.

Aryna Sabalenka was given a real scare but battled her way past Emma Raducanu in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd. The atmosphere was heightened by the closing of the roof and Raducanu provided those in attendance with plenty to get behind,