Emma Raducanu delivered a commanding performance on Court One, dispatching fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the opening round of Wimbledon.
The British number one required just one hour and 25 minutes to overcome the 17-year-old Welsh wild card, who was making her Grand Slam main draw debut.
Raducanu, competing in her 14th major tournament, demonstrated the gulf in experience between the two players.
The 22-year-old former US Open champion controlled proceedings from the outset, breaking serve in the opening game to establish early dominance.
Emma Raducanu is through to the next round of Wimbledon
Reuters
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Xu showed glimpses of promise on the grand stage.
The Welsh teenager actually struck more winners than her opponent in the first set, eight to Raducanu's seven, but undermined her efforts with 16 unforced errors compared to just four from the British number one.
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The second set proved more turbulent, with five breaks of serve exchanged between the players.
Xu demonstrated her fighting spirit by breaking Raducanu's serve twice, responding immediately after falling behind on each occasion.
The 17-year-old's powerful groundstrokes and first serve troubled Raducanu at times, producing several crowd-pleasing rallies.
However, the British number one's experience ultimately told, as she secured the decisive break at 4-2 with a thunderous forehand into the corner.
Raducanu's reward for navigating the opening round is a daunting second-round encounter with 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
The Czech player advanced by defeating recent Nottingham Open winner McCartney Kessler.
The British number one has history with Vondrousova, having defeated her in the second round during her breakthrough 2021 campaign.
However, Vondrousova has since etched her name in Wimbledon folklore, becoming the first unseeded women's singles champion two years ago.
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Mimi Xu, 17, was making her first appearance at Wimbledon
Reuters
Should Raducanu overcome the former champion, an even more formidable challenge potentially awaits.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka looms as a possible third-round opponent, presenting a significant test of the Briton's championship credentials.
Raducanu acknowledged the challenge of facing a compatriot in her post-match comments.
"I'm super pleased to have come through that match. It's so difficult playing another Brit first round. When the draw came out, I can't say I was loving it," she said.
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Emma Raducanu could potentially face world number one Aryna Sabalenka and 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova
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The 22-year-old had tempered expectations before the tournament, revealing she had been managing a niggling back problem.
"Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year," Raducanu stated on the eve of Wimbledon."I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion."
Despite her modest pre-tournament outlook, Raducanu showed no signs of physical discomfort during the match.
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