Playing against 15,000 opponents is no easy task, but that is what Aryna Sabalenka must have felt she was up against as she faced Britain's big hope, Emma Raducanu, in a rollicking third round Wimbledon showdown on Friday.

Nevertheless, the home crowd cheered for Raducanu as her Wimbledon campaign and grass court season ended. During her post-match press conference, Raducanu was still visibly upset about how she failed to execute, but still saw the silver lining in her performance.

“I am pretty sure she will soon be back in the top 10,” said Sabalenka, a comment that felt like more than an empty platitude. A man who knows about entertainment and tennis, Nick Kyrgios, called it “one of the best matches of the championships”. Often a divisive figure, few could disagree with the Australian’s latest outburst.