In a parallel universe, this matchup is between two top-10 players. In this one, it is a duel of two cautionary tales about tennis success.

Emma Raducanu played some of her best tennis since her U.S. Open title run in 2021 by sweeping aside former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 6-3 and reach the third round.

Emma Raducanu produced a statement performance to brush aside Marketa Vondrousova and set up a showdown with world number one Aryna Sabalenka. This was supposed to be a stern test for the British number one, against a player in Vondrousova who won the Wimbledon title only two years ago.