She still has a long way to go before the final, but whatever happens from here, this was a crucial victory for the world No. 1.

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.

On Wednesday afternoon, Emma Raducanu defeated Markéta Vondroušová in the second round of Wimbledon: 6-3, 6-3. Raducanu was beaming after her victory, even knowing she will face WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the next round.