Emma Raducanu has not looked this unfettered and carefree at a grand slam since she won the US Open. And as winners spun and sped off her racket, and the women’s draw opened up further after her 6-1, 6-2 slam dunk of Elise Mertens, a question began to form. Just how far into this fortnight might she go?
The 21-year-old is ranked only 135 in the world after the surgery to her wrists and an ankle, but the bookies are already taking cover. In fact they make her a favourite to make the semi-finals. Fanciful? Not after this.
