"I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon": Emma Raducanu positive despite Cincinnati exit

Emma Raducanu summoned every ounce of her grit and skill in Cincinnati, pushing world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to a punishing three-hour duel that went the distance. Sabalenka prevailed 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) in one of the most riveting matches of the tournament, but Raducanu emerged with pride and a renewed sense of belief. Raducanu herself reflected on the encounter, insisting, "She's world No 1 for a reason," while also noting, "I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon so that's an improvement," a acknowledgement of her own progress.

She went on to express particular satisfaction in her performance on hard court, a surface she’s long felt favoured her opponents more than her: "Grass suits me a lot more, so to push her on a hard court I'm pretty proud of."

This mindset shift marks a turning point for the 22-year-old, showing that she’s determined not just to excel on her comfort surfaces but to assert herself anywhere she competes. The match itself was a high-wire act of endurance and mental toughness. It featured a staggering 13-deuce service game in the final set, a test of concentration and composure that would break many players. Yet Raducanu stood firm, pushing Sabalenka into every corner

Throughout, Raducanu complimented Sabalenka's precision and consistency under pressure: "She served and returned really well," she said, while also seeing glimmers of her own improvements in key moments, acknowledging that in certain moments of the match she too held her level That Raducanu was able to match the world No 1 in foundational battles says as much about her mental evolution as it does about her technical development.

Sabalenka, for her part, also recognized Raducanu's progress, commenting on the Brits resilience and health which had been questioned during previous form dips and acknowledging that she's getting back to her best. Observers couldn’t help but note how significant the match was for Raducanu’s comeback trajectory. She outscored Sabalenka in total points, 125 to 123, a testament to the relentless pressure she maintained throughout. And reaching that level on a hard court, after having long seen grass as her sanctuary marks a powerful psychological breakthrough.

There was also external significance: the match marked Raducanu's first test under her new coach, Francisco Roig, whose tactical input and encouragement she acknowledged as vital. "I think the first week went well," she said, noting that improvements were visible in flashes during their time on court.

Beyond the technical and tactical takeaways, this showdown served as a symbolic moment for Raducanu and for British tennis. It represented not just a near-upset, but a validation that when she's fit, focused, and supported, she belongs among the elite. It was a statement both outward and inward, a truth-telling exercise on where she stands and where she can go next.

But the significance goes deeper still. The match will give her confidence not just ahead of the US Open, but in broader viewership and internal belief. With her ranking hovering around No. 33 or 34, Raducanu may not be seeded at Flushing Meadows, but she is carrying form, momentum, and hard-won belief that her game can hang, and win, at the highest level. Her ability to sustain such levels over three hours against the very best speaks to resilience that many questioned in earlier seasons.

In the heat of that Cincinnati court, with the mercury climbing past 30°C and pressure mounting with every rally, Raducanu didn’t just compete—she challenged. She held her nerve in the most critical moments, played aggressive serve and return patterns, and dug deep when it mattered most. It’s the sort of performance that can reshape her season and reset expectations.

This was more than just narrow defeat, it was evidence of transformation. Raducanu took the lessons of loss and turned them into progress. She didn’t merely survive against Sabalenka; she tested her thoroughly, raised her own standards, and walked off knowing that her game now matches her ambition. For all the talk of comebacks and potential, this Cincinnati epic might be the most compelling chapter yet.