Aryna Sabalenka Survives Emma Raducanu Epic in Cincinnati Open Thriller

World number one Aryna Sabalenka showcased her resilience and determination in a thrilling third-round encounter at the Cincinnati Open, edging out Britain’s Emma Raducanu in a dramatic match that lasted over three hours. In a contest filled with power, long rallies, and high drama, Sabalenka kept her title defense alive, defeating Raducanu 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) to advance to the last 16.

A Match Packed with Drama and Grit

The highly-anticipated showdown between Sabalenka and Raducanu lived up to its billing, with both players producing some of their best tennis in a contest that went down to the wire. Sabalenka, renowned for her aggressive baseline play and powerful serve, was pushed to the absolute limit by Raducanu, who showed flashes of the form that took her to US Open glory in 2021.

The opening set saw both players trading blows, neither willing to concede an inch. Sabalenka finally edged ahead in a tense tiebreak, taking the first set 7-6(3). Raducanu responded with impressive resolve, breaking Sabalenka in the second set and holding on to force a deciding third set.

The final set was a marathon, featuring a 13-deuce game and numerous break point opportunities for both. Ultimately, Sabalenka’s experience and mental fortitude in tiebreaks proved decisive as she clinched the match in three hours and nine minutes, winning her 18th tiebreak of the season—a record for women’s singles in the professional era.

Raducanu Signs of Revival Ahead of US Open

Despite the loss, Emma Raducanu will take positives from her performance. Outscoring Sabalenka in total points won (125–123), the Briton showed that she is regaining her form and confidence just in time for the US Open at Flushing Meadows. Her ability to push the world number one to the brink suggests that Raducanu could be a threat in the upcoming Grand Slam event.

Sabalenka, speaking after the match, praised Raducanu’s improving fitness and game. “I’m really happy to see her healthy. I can see she’s improving,” Sabalenka remarked. The world number one also admitted to being relieved to get through the match and expressed hope for a rest day before her next encounter.

Sabalenka will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the last 16 as she continues her quest for back-to-back Cincinnati titles.

Strong Performances from Fritz, Kalinskaya, and Keys

Elsewhere in the tournament, American Taylor Fritz advanced to the next round with a straight-sets win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. Despite a one-hour delay caused by a power outage, the fourth seed stayed composed, winning 7-6(4), 7-5. Fritz did not face a break point throughout the match and converted his only break opportunity to secure the victory in two hours and eight minutes.

Russian Anna Kalinskaya delivered one of the upsets of the day, overcoming American fifth seed Amanda Anisimova 7-5, 6-4. This marked Kalinskaya’s third win over a Top 10 player this season, underlining her growing reputation as a dangerous competitor. She will now face fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round.

Former Cincinnati champion Madison Keys turned in a dominant display, defeating Japan’s Aoi Ito 6-4, 6-0. Keys navigated a tight first set before running away with the second, wrapping it up in just 20 minutes. “In the first set I got off to a pretty good lead and then kind of lost my way a bit,” Keys reflected. “Once I got a break early in the second I wanted to run away with it and keep that momentum and I did.”