Rybakina’s serve is her special not so secret weapon. Little wonder she opted to deploy it first. Louis Armstrong is about a quarter full for the start of the morning session.
Rybakina starts with a second serve into Raducanu’s backhand before nailing a forehand winner but the British player levels it at 15-all when Rybakina’s next, long forehand drive hits the tape and spoons long.
For the third point running she fluffs her first serve bit cleans up with a body-serve with her second and follows it with an unreturnable first serve. At 40-15, Rybakina knocks a forehand out but wraps up the hold to 30 when Raducanu fires her forehand serve return too deep.
Tim Henman: “It might go to three sets but I’m backing the Brit.”
Time for the photo op at the net, followed by the toss and the knock-up.
