Emma Raducanu hammers Elise Mertens as Brit reaches Grand Slam third round for first time since US Open victory

RUTHLESS Emma Raducanu dropped just THREE games as she crushed Elise Mertens to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

For the first time since that amazing, unprecedented US Open win in 2021, Raducanu has won back-to-back matches at a tennis Slam.

GettyEmma Raducanu has marched into round three at Wimbledon[/caption]

PARaducanu was roared on by the No1 Court crowd[/caption]

RexThe 21-year-old was in brilliant form[/caption]

On the day it was confirmed she would partner up with tennis icon Andy Murray in mixed doubles action, the Brit, 21, was in dominant fashion under the No1 Court roof.

The Bromley player cruised through the first set in 38 minutes against the more experienced Belgian with two breaks of serve.

And the comprehensive 6-1 6-2 triumph was sealed with 75 minutes on the match clock as she reminded everybody what all the hype was about during those heady days three years ago in New York.

Indeed, it was the fewest number of games dropped at major level since her 6-0 6-1 thrashing of Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in that epic Big Apple adventure.

This was her first time on No1 Court since having a panic attack against Australian Alja Tomljanovic three years ago that curtailed her passage through the draw at the last-16 stage.

On this form, and if she maintains this type of momentum, few would bet against her going to the fourth round again at SW19 and maybe even further.

Next up she plays Greek No9 seed Maria Sakkari or Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus – both of whom will be no significant frightening proposition.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

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Wimbledon 2024 prize money

PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.

The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.

However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.

Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:

Winner: £2.7m
Runner-up: £1.4m
Semi-finalists: £715,000
Quarter-finalists: £375,000
Fourth round: £226,000
Third round: £143,000
Second round: £93,000
First round: £60,000
Overall total: £50m