EMMA RADUCANU got ready for her clash with the women’s world No 1 — by watching the men’s world No 1.
And the British underdog — who is 3-1 to shock Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court today — has vowed to behave aggressively as she fights to stay in Wimbledon.
Raducanu, 22, was doing keepy-uppies with her team at SW19’s Aorangi Park training base.
And before facing the Belarusian three-time Grand Slam champion, she watched the world’s top man, Jannik Sinner, practise ahead of his straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Vukic.
British No 1 Raducanu said: “I’m trying to learn by osmosis. Jannik is so effortless when he hits the ball.
“I have been trying to watch a bit more live when I am away. I watched Joao Fonseca the other day.
“I have just been practising for just an hour and ten minutes.
“I was working on a few things I will need.
“I feel good. I’m doing everything I can on my side. I know over time I’m doing the right things.”
Raducanu’s 70-minute session started at 3pm and she hit mostly with colleague Adam Jones under the watchful eye of new coach Mark Petchey and good pal Jane O’Donoghue.
It was after that hit she went and watched Italian Sinner, sitting on a park bench for about 20 minutes.
The Petchey masterplan worked when she impressively knocked out the 2023 Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday evening.
Now, there is nothing to lose, there is no pressure on Raducanu and, in a way, it is a free hit.
She has never beaten anyone ranked No 1 in the world — in fact, she has never even won a set.
But if she can approach it in the same manner as her victory over Czech star Vondrousova, then maybe she could shake up the entire women’s draw.
Raducanu added: “Aryna is No 1 in the world for a reason.
“She has been so dominant in the women’s game as of the last few years.
“I know it’s going to be a massive challenge. I’m going to have to play some really good tennis.
“I’m going to have to be aggressive but pick my moments and not kind of be overly aggressive. You can fall into that trap, too.
“I don’t think I’m going to go out there and out-power her size-wise and power-wise.
“I’m going to have to try to be creative as well. I’m more confident in my own game.
“Having the direction over the last few months built over consistency has really helped.”
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