Emma Raducanu claimed that the string tension in her racket was off during the early stages of her battle with Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon on Friday night. The Brit was made to play under a closed Centre Court roof because Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz dragged their feet during their victories earlier in the day.

Emma Raducanu smiled as she waved to the crowd on her way out of Wimbledon. Bloody but unbowed, she was determined to hold her head high despite defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. And so she should. It has taken Raducanu years to reach this level.

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.