Emma Raducanu was narrowly beaten by the world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a third-set tie-break.
Emma Raducanu came agonisingly close to upsetting World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a Cincinnati Open classic.
In a gripping third-round battle lasting three hours and nine minutes, Raducanu fell 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5).
It was a match filled with drama, high-quality tennis, and immense physical demands.
A Fierce Start in Sweltering Heat
Both players stepped onto Centre Court in scorching 32°C heat with heavy humidity.
Raducanu burst out of the blocks, winning the first nine points of the match.
However, the early surge didn’t last. Sabalenka fought back, and the first set went to a tie-break.
Under pressure, Sabalenka raised her game, while Raducanu’s second serve faltered.
A double fault at 1-3 in the breaker proved costly, handing Sabalenka the set.
Raducanu’s Impressive Comeback
Despite the setback, Raducanu responded with resilience.
Her first serve became a weapon, landing 82% of the time in the second set.
She won 75% of points behind it, while also attacking Sabalenka’s serve with sharp returns.
A break at 3-3 was enough to seal the set and force a decider.
Tactical Shifts and Mental Battles
During the changeover before the final set, Raducanu’s new coach, Francisco Roig, repeated one message: “You’re better than her.”
Raducanu continued holding serve with authority, showing improved shot selection.
Her forehand was timed to perfection, and her backhand slice troubled Sabalenka repeatedly.
But at 3-4, Raducanu faced a marathon game.
Over 20 minutes, 13 deuces, and four break points later, she held with an unreturned serve.
Sabalenka’s Champion’s Mentality
Sabalenka’s performance was far from flawless.
She racked up 72 unforced errors and was outplayed in long stretches.
Yet her ability to stay composed defined the match.
She repeatedly moved forward to the net, a tactic refined with the help of new team member Max Mirnyi.
The Belarusian has now won an incredible 16 consecutive tie-breaks.
In the final moments, she unleashed her best tennis, sealing victory with an ace.
Raducanu Narrowly Misses Career-Defining Win
This was more than just a loss for Raducanu—it was proof she can challenge the very best.
For much of the past year, she struggled to match top-tier opponents.
Here, she showed she belongs at that level.
Her serve, composure, and tactical awareness have clearly improved.
Even in defeat, she left the court with her head high.
Lessons Before the US Open
Raducanu’s North American hard court season has been her most consistent run in years.
Her wins have built confidence, and her match fitness has improved.
This narrow defeat will sting, but it may prove a turning point.
Four years after her breakthrough US Open triumph, she now heads to New York in her best form since that victory.
