Raducanu pushes Sabalenka to the limit in Cincinnati

Raducanu loses in a tight three-set battle but shows clear improvement against the world No 1 on a hard court.

Raducanu Pushes Sabalenka to the Limit in Cincinnati Open

Emma Raducanu pushed Aryna Sabalenka to three sets in Cincinnati, a match that lasted three hours and nine minutes and finished 7-6 (3) 4-6 7-6 (5). The 30th seed demonstrated steady growth since Wimbledon and in the process tested Sabalenka’s edge in big moments. Raducanu debuted with Francisco Roig as her coach, and his vocal, tactical guidance was a constant feature as they begin a new partnership a week into their collaboration. A standout moment came in the final set with a 13-deuce service game at 3-4, underlining her resilience and willingness to clash with the sport’s top players on a fast surface.

Raducanu said she was proud of the improvements she has shown and how she handled the rallying points on a hard court, noting that grass may still be a better fit while acknowledging the challenge of adapting to a different surface. She also highlighted the importance of starting points as a key takeaway from the match and acknowledged that keeping the level high over longer stretches will require more work on the practice court. Roig’s first week brought strong voice and tactical cues, and Raducanu framed the result as a positive step rather than a verdict on her progress.

This result matters because it frames Raducanu as a player who can compete with the top tier even as she builds a new coaching alliance. Roig’s presence adds a layer of tactical discipline that could sharpen her decision-making in pressure moments. The match also underscores a recurring theme for Raducanu: the need to translate short bursts of high quality into longer periods of consistency across surfaces. If this trajectory holds, Cincinnati could become a springboard rather than a one-off milestone.

Highlights

Raducanu’s learning curve is clear, and the next test will reveal how durable this early momentum is.