Sonay Kartal and Emma Raducanu Seek Wimbledon Last 16

Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal faced each other often during their junior careers.

Sonay Kartal and former junior rival Emma Raducanu will compete in their third-round matches at Wimbledon on Friday, aiming to reach the last 16. Raducanu, scheduled second on Centre Court, faces Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari. Meanwhile, Kartal, ranked 298th globally, takes on second seed Coco Gauff in the final match on Court One. Raducanu’s match follows the defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz’s clash with 29th seed Frances Tiafoe, starting at 13:30 BST. World number one Jannik Sinner will close the Centre Court programme against Miomir Kecmanovic.

Raducanu, 21, enters the third round brimming with confidence after dominating Elise Mertens and losing just three games. Her upcoming match against Maria Sakkari is a rematch of their 2021 US Open semi-final, which Raducanu won decisively on her way to the title. Despite her rank of 135th due to a comeback from multiple surgeries, Raducanu has shown promising form. She reached the Nottingham semi-finals and Eastbourne quarter-finals. “I’ve had quite a few matches on grass, so I feel really good,” she told BBC Sport. “I have no pressure or expectation to beat someone in the top 10 right now, but I believe in myself, and I’m confident with the way I’m playing.”

On the other hand, Kartal, 22, who has risen more slowly compared to Raducanu, will step into the spotlight against Gauff. Injuries and health issues earlier this year hampered Kartal’s development. Her qualification for Wimbledon was an unexpected achievement. “I think it’s what dreams are made of,” Kartal said about playing Gauff. “I came here as a little kid, watching matches. I’ll play my game and play my strengths, and we’ll see what the outcome is on Friday.” Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal’s journeys from junior competitors to Wimbledon contenders highlight their resilience and talent. This sets the stage for an exciting day of tennis.