Raducanu falls short of Sabalenka shock

British number one Emma Raducanu is out of Wimbledon after falling agonisingly short of top seed Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping third-round match on Centre Court.

Raducanu, 22, put the three-time Grand Slam champion – and clear title favourite – under extreme pressure before succumbing to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat.

“Emma played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard to get this win,” said 27-year-old Belarusian Sabalenka.

“I had to fight for every point to get this win. “

Raducanu, ranked 40th in the world, played with clarity and confidence throughout most of a captivating contest on Centre Court.

Had the 2021 US Open champion served out the opening set at 6-5, or converted a set point in the tie-break, the momentum of the lead might have carried her to a notable victory.

However, the deficit proved too much to overturn – even though Raducanu broke to lead 4-1 in the second set.

The long rallies she needed to break down Sabalenka eventually took their toll and Raducanu began to look fatigued as the favourite fought back.