She still has a long way to go before the final, but whatever happens from here, this was a crucial victory for the world No. 1.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka staved off an upset bid by resurgent Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon by beating the home favorite 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the third-round at a raucous Centre Court.

Aryna Sabalenka took a moment to send another encouraging message to Emma Raducanu, this time through social media. On Friday, the locals lost their top-ranked female player after the world No. 1 overcame the 22-year-old Briton 7-6 (6) 6-4 in a high-quality third-round match.