Emma Raducanu lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka yesterday, 11 August, in the Round of 32 clash at the ongoing Cincinnati Open 2025. Sabalenka defeated Raducanu 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) in a match that lasted over three hours and 10 minutes. With this loss, the British No. 1 is now down to 0-3 in the head-to-head record against Sabalenka.
After the game, Raducanu said that despite the defeat, she pushed the Belarusian more than she did at Wimbledon, which she has taken as an improvement.
“She’s world No 1 for a reason,” Raducanu said. “I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon, so that’s an improvement.”
The 22-year-old expressed how impressive it was to have this kind of result on the hard court, while she has always thought grass courts suit her game more.
“Also, it was good to have this result on a hard court because it’s very different to grass, and I’ve always thought grass suits me a lot more – and I still believe that. So to have pushed her on a hard court like that, I’m pretty proud,” she said.
Raducanu also mentioned her key takeaway from the game, stating: “I think starting the point is a big takeaway. I think she did that incredibly well; in the big moments, she served and returned really well. I did too, in certain moments of the match, but to kind of hold that level on the starting point for the whole match, I think that’s a big thing for me.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka also spoke about Raducanu’s improvement. “As I said after Wimbledon, I’m really happy to see her healthy, mentally and physically. Every time she’s improving, and I can see that she’s getting back. I’m happy to see that, and I’m enjoying fighting against her,” the Belarusian said. “She’s such an incredible player, a really nice person and I’m super happy for her – and, of course, I’m happy to get through this difficult match.”
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