Cincinnati – World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame Emma Raducanu in a gripping three-hour, nine-minute battle at the Cincinnati Open, winning 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5) in a match that tested both players to their limits.
Raducanu, seeded 30th, pushed Sabalenka harder than in their Wimbledon clash five weeks ago, nearly securing what would have been the biggest victory of her career. The Briton fought back after losing the first set, forcing a decider and surviving a marathon 13-deuce service game in the final set before Sabalenka’s composure proved decisive.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu expressed pride in her progress, particularly on a hard court. “She’s world No 1 for a reason and I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon. To have pushed her on a hard court like that, I’m pretty proud of it,” she said. She highlighted improvements in her serve and return under pressure, though acknowledged Sabalenka’s dominance in key moments.
Sabalenka’s mental resilience shone in the closing stages, as she delivered her best tennis when it mattered most to seal the win.
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