Emma Raducanu and Antonia Ruzic meet in a first‑round Wimbledon clash clouded by uncertainty surrounding the Briton's fitness.
Raducanu had looked rejuvenated in recent weeks, reaching the final at Queen's Club - her best run at any tournament since her 2021 US Open triumph.
Her reunion with coach Andrew Richardson appeared to be paying dividends, with her movement sharper and her baseline aggression more controlled, but her build‑up took a dramatic turn this week when she abruptly ended a practice session at Wimbledon with her right ankle heavily strapped.
Ruzic has a 4-3 record on grass this year, although she hasn't made it past the first round in her last three tournaments, but she has already beaten Raducanu this season, at the Dubai Championships in February.
The world No. 60 earned her first win over a top-10 player when she beat Elena Rybakina at that event and won her first Grand Slam singles main draw match at this year's French Open.
Antonia Ruzic v Emma Raducanu Tips Summary
Best Bet - Antonia Ruzic +3.5 games @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Antonia Ruzic to win a set @ 4/7
Bet Builder - Antonia Ruzic to win, Antonia Ruzic to break serve in 1st set & 10+ match double faults @ 11/2
Antonia Ruzic v Emma Raducanu Prediction
Best Bet: Antonia Ruzic +3.5 games @ 4/5
Under normal circumstances, Raducanu would be a strong favourite. The Briton played with confidence and authority at Queen's Club, beating the player who had knocked Ruzic out in qualifying 6-2 6-2 in the semi-finals.
But these are not normal circumstances. The ankle issue is a major concern because Raducanu's game relies heavily on her movement.
Her explosive first steps and sharp directional changes are the key to early ball‑striking.
If her movement is compromised, even slightly, Ruzic becomes a far more dangerous opponent.
The Croatian's strengths lie in her ability to make opponents play the extra ball and capitalise on errors.
Given the uncertainty around Raducanu's ankle, this handicap line looks extremely playable.
Alternative Bet: Antonia Ruzic to win a set @ 4/7
Ruzic has taken sets off several top‑80 players this year and her style naturally frustrates opponents who rely on rhythm and court coverage.
Raducanu's last match - a 6‑0 7‑6 loss to Donna Vekic in the Queen's Club final - showed both her ceiling and her volatility.
She played some of her best tennis in years that week, but she also struggled to maintain intensity across long stretches.
If she steps on court less than fully fit, Ruzic's consistency and physicality give her a strong chance of claiming at least one set.
Antonia Ruzic v Emma Raducanu Bet Builder
Antonia Ruzic to win
Antonia Ruzic to break serve in 1st set
10+ match double faults
Pays 11/2
If Raducanu's movement is significantly restricted, Ruzic's grinding style becomes extremely difficult to counter.
The Croatian took advantage of the Briton being less than 100 per cent in their previous meeting and another upset could well be on the cards
Raducanu often starts matches with a lower first‑serve percentage and, if she is tentative pushing off the ankle, her serve speed and placement may dip.
Ruzic is a strong returner who creates early pressure and she can claim an early break.
Finally, add the match double-fault total to run into two figures. There were 13 in their previous three-set meeting and there could be 10 or more in this, even if it does not reach a decider.
Key Match Stats
Emma Raducanu's season record stands at 11-10, with Queen's Club and Cluj‑Napoca her only finals
Antonia Ruzic has won five of her last 10 grass‑court matches across ITF and qualifying levels
Raducanu has been broken multiple times in six of her last eight matches
Ruzic has taken a set in eight of her last 11 matches against higher‑ranked opponents
Combined, the pair average 10.8 double faults per match over their last five outings
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
