Cincinnati Open: Aryna Sabalenka narrowly defeats Emma Raducanu

CINCINNATI: Aryna Sabalenka narrowly defeated Emma Raducanu in a closely fought match at the Cincinnati Open, advancing to the fourth round after more than three hours of intense tennis.

The would number one edged out the British player 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) in sweltering conditions, showcasing her strength and experienced in the showdown.

Read more: Emma Raducanu leads British Charge at US Open

Raducanu, who has been steadily regaining form after injury setbacks, continued to demonstrate the progress she has made this season. The 22-year-old matched Sabalenka’s power and intensity at times and showed considerable maturity, especially in the marathon deciding set.

The Briton’s fightback included a remarkable service game that lasted 22 minutes with 12 deuces, where she saved multiple break points to stay in the match.

Throughout the match, Raducanu was closely guided by her new coach, Francisco Roig, known for his work with Rafael Nadal.

Roig’s tactical input was evident, with frequent advice on serve placements and forehand strategies helping Emma stay composed and adaptive against Sabalenka’s aggressive style.

Aryna Sabalenka, typically a dominant force with her powerful groundstrokes and imposing serve, was less consistent than usual, allowing Radaucanu to mount sustained pressure.

However, her calmness under pressure during both tiebreaks proved critical. With this victory, Sabalenka extended her exceptional run in tiebreaks this year – a remarkable 18 wins – highlighting her phycological edge in tight moments.

Despite losing, Raducanu finished the match having won slightly more points overall, a sign that she is closing the gap on the world’s best players.

Read more: Roger Federer to make a comeback in October

Elsewhere at the tournament, American Taylor Fritz recorded a smooth straight-sets victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. Fritz did not face a single break point during his win, displaying tactical sharpness and consistency over 2 hours of play to progress confidently.