Sabalenka edges Raducanu in Cincinnati thriller

Emma Raducanu pushes world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to the limit in a long Cincinnati Open clash that ends in a tight three set defeat

Sabalenka edges Raducanu in Cincinnati thriller

The match on Centre Court in hot, humid conditions stretched to three hours and nine minutes as Sabalenka fought off Raducanu in a three set battle. The world No 1 won the opening set in a tiebreak after Raducanu started strong but could not maintain her rhythm. Raducanu showed clear progress with her first serve under pressure and used a sharper backhand slice to keep Sabalenka off balance, even as Sabalenka made more errors than usual. The set finished with Sabalenka clinching the decisive points in the tiebreak.

Raducanu carried that momentum into the second set, keeping a high first-serve percentage and creating pressure with aggressive returns. She equalized the match by taking the second set 6-4, signaling she can challenge the very best on hard courts when her serve is reliable. In the final set, both players endured a long hold of serve and a dramatic game at 3-4 that lasted more than 20 minutes before Raducanu finally secured a breakthrough. Sabalenka steadied in the decisive moments, finishing with an ace to win the final tie break. The contest highlighted Raducanu’s growth since Wimbledon and underscored Sabalenka’s enduring toughness when the finish line approaches. It also featured a notable coaching moment as Raducanu’s new advisor, Francisco Roig, reminded her of her own quality.

Highlights

The match sets a clear path for Raducanu to build on this growth at the next big stage