Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and British No. 1, powered past 17-year-old British wildcard Mingge “Mimi” Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of Wimbledon 2025 on June 30, setting up a blockbuster second-round clash with 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. The 67-minute victory on Court 1, reported by *Express Sport* and *The Guardian*, showcased Raducanu’s resilience despite an “awkward” dynamic playing a compatriot she knows well, having practiced together at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in November 2024. Raducanu’s win, her fourth time reaching Wimbledon’s second round, keeps her in contention to defend 240 ranking points from her 2024 fourth-round run, critical to maintaining her No. 38 ranking.
Raducanu, 22, dominated with 24 winners to Xu’s 15, converting three of six break points while saving three of four, per *WTA Tennis*. Xu, ranked No. 302 and making her Grand Slam main draw debut, impressed with six aces, including a 120 mph serve, but her 22 unforced errors proved costly, per *The Independent*. A lighthearted moment occurred when a champagne cork landed on court during a changeover, prompting Raducanu to pick it up and wave it to the crowd, easing tension, as noted by *South Wales Guardian*. “It was pretty entertaining… loosened me up,” she said, per @Wimbledon on X.
The match was emotionally charged, with Raducanu admitting to feeling “really awkward” facing a younger Brit, telling *Express.co.uk*, “She’s got big weapons, moves well… I just really wanted to win.” Her vocal “Come on” shouts reflected her intensity, driven by a desire to avoid an upset against the promising junior, who won two ITF titles in 2025. Fans on X, like @SkySportsTennis, praised Raducanu’s focus, while @TennisVibes noted Xu’s potential, tweeting, “Mimi Xu pushed Emma hard, future star!”
Raducanu now faces a daunting challenge against Vondrousova, who defeated McCartney Kessler 6-4, 6-2 in her opener, per *BBC Sport*. Raducanu holds a 1-0 head-to-head edge, having beaten the Czech 6-3, 6-2 as an 18-year-old wildcard in 2021, but Vondrousova’s grass-court pedigree makes her a formidable opponent. Raducanu’s back injury and personal challenges, including a 2025 stalking incident, add pressure, but her work with coach Mark Petchey has bolstered her serve and confidence, per *The Mirror*. A win could propel her toward a potential third-round clash with Aryna Sabalenka, testing her mettle in a stacked draw
