Remember that feeling, Emma? Oh yes. That fabulous sensation from the summer of 2021, when Raducanu reached the fourth round here at the age of 18, ahead of her historic US Open victory.

Earlier this week, the Briton recollected the “great feeling” back then of playing “completely fearless” tennis, with all the unburdened freedom of youth.

Yet at the ripe age of 22, in the second round here, Raducanu reached back to that time to overcome the 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

It was all looking a formidable test for Raducanu, dealing with her own challenges in fitness and off-court life even as she has pushed back up the rankings to the top 40.

When they met here in 2021, Raducanu delivered “one of the best matches I’ve ever played” to take the win. Four years on, her intelligent performance was cast from that same mould, as she confounded Vondrousova’s variety for a 6-3, 6-3 win.

Her reward? A fearsome examination opposite the power of No.1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, for a place in the second week.

“I played really, really well,” was the Raducanu assessment, laughing delightedly through her post-match Centre Court interview. “I knew it was going to be extremely difficult – she’s in form and she’s won this tournament.

“I put my game out there and was really focused the whole way through. I knew I had to be aggressive because Marketa would beat me if I pushed the ball around.

“I guess there’s no pressure on me at all in the next round. Aryna is so dominant and has won everything. All I can do is control my side of the court as best as possible.”

Well, it worked a treat for her here, feeling her way early on with flashes of attack one moment, cagey defence the next, all in the same rally if necessary. Returning well, her break for 4-2 was nullified next game, but Vondrousova double-faulted to set up another chance, whereupon Raducanu forced a forehand error before serving out the set.

The start of the second is always a key juncture. Vondrousova, released from the hand and shoulder injuries of the last year, and now armed with victories over Madison Keys and Sabalenka in Berlin, had no reason to think it was impossible to turn matters around.

But in fact, the die was cast. Raducanu stayed right in the zone, most especially on the return. This time she punched through for a break far earlier. Vondrousova’s chances to level slipped past when her forehand failed her, particularly on her opponent’s second serve, feeding the Briton’s resolve all the more.

Later, Raducanu reflected further on her win.“I feel amazing,” she said. “It’s one of the best matches I’ve played in a long time. There’s no better feeling than winning at Wimbledon on the Centre Court. It’s so fleeting and then quickly you need to get back in gear for the next day and the next round. So for the rest of this evening I’m going to enjoy this one because it was really special.

“I feel at home here at Wimbledon. It’s so rare I have all my friends here in one place. They’re my rock, the closest people to me outside my family, who I’ve known since childhood. It’s hard on the tour week to week. I really cherish these moments.”

What was it Raducanu said before battle commenced here this week? Something about not expecting too much of herself. An excellent approach, it transpires.

Sabalenka next, then. Onward.