Raducanu Shows Progress Despite Cincinnati Open Defeat to Sabalenka

Emma Raducanu's Cincinnati Open journey concluded in a hard-fought battle against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, a match that extended over three hours and pushed both players to their limits. While Raducanu ultimately succumbed to a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5) defeat, she expressed immense pride in the progress she demonstrated compared to their previous encounter at Wimbledon just five weeks prior.

Raducanu emphasized the significance of her performance on a hard court, a surface she considers less naturally suited to her game than grass. Her ability to challenge Sabalenka so intensely in Cincinnati underscored her ongoing development as a player.

"Starting the point" emerged as a key area of focus for Raducanu. She acknowledged Sabalenka's exceptional skill in this aspect, particularly during crucial moments, highlighting her effective serve and return game. Raducanu aims to replicate this consistency in her own game.

Reflecting on the match, Raducanu acknowledged the fluctuating nature of her performance, recognizing periods of strong play interspersed with dips in form. She views this as an area for improvement through continued practice and aims to sustain a higher level of play for longer durations. Despite the loss, she highlighted the positives of competing strongly against a top-ranked opponent like Sabalenka.

The Cincinnati Open marked Raducanu's first tournament working alongside her new coach, Francisco Roig, a former member of Rafael Nadal's coaching team. Their partnership, initiated the previous Tuesday, showed early signs of promise. Roig's active coaching presence, offering both encouragement and tactical guidance, proved beneficial.

Raducanu expressed satisfaction with their initial week of collaboration, noting improvements in her game that surfaced during certain moments of the match. While acknowledging the limited time they've spent together, she remains optimistic about their future progress.