Raducanu falls to Sabalenka in Cincinnati: Wimbledon rematch and epic battle

Emma Raducanu Falls to Sabalenka in an Exciting Cincinnati Duel

Emma Raducanu was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open after a close match against the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in the third round. This match marked the second encounter of the year between both tennis players, after Sabalenka prevailed in the third round of Wimbledon. The match in Cincinnati, filled with excitement, extended for more than three hours, leading Raducanu to a tiebreak in the third set against the 27-year-old player. In a tense final, Sabalenka emerged victorious, securing the win with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 7-6.

“As I said at Wimbledon, I’m glad to see her healthy, mentally and physically,” Sabalenka commented on Raducanu.

Aryna Sabalenka

“She’s getting better and better, and I can see she’s getting back to her best level. I enjoy playing against her, she’s an incredible player.”

On her way to the third round, Raducanu defeated Olga Danilovic in the previous match, her first since Francis Roig, former coach of Rafael Nadal, joined her team. The British tennis player started strong, achieving her first break point in the second game of the first set, although Sabalenka responded with a break of her own and soon equalized the score.

Sabalenka seemed to have taken control of the match, breaking Raducanu’s serve again and winning four games in a row, but Raducanu managed to tie 4-4 and showed her strength by winning the ninth game after a long deuce.

The first set was decided in a tiebreak, where Sabalenka prevailed after a tough battle. The second set continued with the same intensity, with both players holding their serve in the early stages. Raducanu managed to change the course by winning a break point in the seventh game, taking the lead. The Brit closed the set with an ace, tying the match.

The third set was equally contested, with both tennis players holding their serve. The eighth game was epic, with 13 deuces and Sabalenka unable to convert four break points before Raducanu took the game.

For the second time in the match, the set was decided in a tiebreak, where Sabalenka, with her second match point, managed to advance to the next round. The world number one will face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the round of 16, after the Spanish player defeated Taylor Townsend on Monday.