Emma Raducanu cruises to a straight-sets win at Cincinnati Open, awaiting a potential clash with Aryna Sabalenka

Emma Raducanu has secured a victory in her return to the Cincinnati Open, defeating Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the Round of 32. The world No. 39 took advantage of her first appearance as a seeded player in a WTA 1000 in three years, while carrying a 6-2 record since the start of the North American hardcourt swing.

The former US Open champion seems to have finally found some stability and continues to accumulate wins. In fact, Raducanu has successfully passed the first round in her last 10 consecutive tournaments, with her last first-round defeat coming at Indian Wells in early March against Moyuka Uchijima.

This time against Danilovic, she had a tough draw against one of the players who has had significant growth in recent months. The Serb had previously beaten fellow Brit Katie Boulter in the first round, which gave Raducanu a chance to avenge her Billie Jean King Cup teammate.

The former world No. 10 secures her place in the Round of 32 and could have a rematch with Aryna Sabalenka. The world No. 1 is set to debut later in the evening against the 2023 Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova. Just a month ago, Raducanu defeated Vondrousova in the Wimbledon second round, before falling in the third round to Sabalenka.

The start of the match was a rollercoaster, with neither player able to be consistent on serve. Danilovic secured the first break, and Raducanu responded immediately with a break back. Raducanu took the lead with another break, but Danilovic responded and returned the match to a 3-3 tie.

The Serbian player suffered particularly with her second serve, winning just 22% of second-serve points. That's how Raducanu took the advantage in the final part of the set, clinging to good service games and getting the third break of the set in her favor to win 6-3.

Danilovic's serving problems did not end at the start of the second set, even after saving a couple of opportunities against her in the third game. This time, however, Raducanu was dominant with her own serve and put all the pressure on her opponent.

After Danilovic went up to 2-1, Raducanu was the one who took control of the match, winning the next five consecutive games. The Brit took 20 of the next 25 points, making it practically a monologue for the majority of the set, which was full of errors from Danilovic and a concentrated Raducanu until the end. She did not falter on her serve and closed out the victory 6-3, 6-4 after one hour and 21 minutes. The former US Open champion had gotten five breaks in eight opportunities, while Danilovic only took two breaks in three opportunities.

Raducanu guarantees her spot in the Round of 32, marking her 10th consecutive tournament in which she has passed the first round. The Brit seems to have found consistency in recent months and has shown her best level on hardcourts.

In the third round, she awaits the winner between Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova, two players she faced in the last Wimbledon. In fact, in the second round at the All England Club, she defeated the Czech, but ended up falling to the world No. 1 in straight sets, in a match that was tight at times but that Sabalenka ended up winning with her authority.