Emma Raducanu’s Most Confident Opportunity Wins Since the 2021 Grand Slam | Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu Winning the championship four years ago. She gave an excellent performance against Aryna Sabalenka in the third round of the Cincinnati Open on Monday Barrierly losing 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5) Three hours and nine minutes later.

Her impressive level reflects the significant progress she made in a positive summer in North American hard courts.

“It’s my first year on tour,” she said. “I’ve had a tough start to this year and it’s hard to change that. But over the past few months, I’ve been building and the levels have been increasing. I’ve been increasing the players in the game and losing, they’re all top players, so that gives me confidence.”

That confidence is in stark contrast to Raducanu’s inconsistent presence on the tour last year, due to injuries and training obstacles planned for this season. The 22-year-old didn’t compete for four weeks in the U.S. Open leadership last year Failure against Sofia Kenin in the first round.

“I’m back home and it’s very difficult in New York,” she said. “It’s not easy for me to be there since I won the game. But this year I feel different and I’m going to be more calm after the court.”

“I’m more confident in important moments on the court. I’ve been playing these important points well for most of the time, so I’m looking forward to having some time to practice, improve, and then get ready to play there.”

Raducanu has not won a match in New York since becoming the first player in the U.S. Open to win a qualifying championship. Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa were injured and withdrawn from the match, meaning Raducanu’s live ranking No. 34 is enough for seeding. But many players can still surpass her at the Cincinnati Open. Either way, her positive progress and form meant that few players were eager to face her early in New York.

Sabalenka stressed that she believed Raducanu was on the right path to returning to the top 10: “Every time the tournament, I feel like she is improving and getting better and better, and she will definitely be back to the top 10,” she said. “She is a good sportsman, she is a smart player. She has a good service, even if sometimes you can see where she is going. But speed, spin is hard to adapt. She is basically doing everything [well]. ”

Rado Canu next due to competition in the United States Carlos Alcaraz Next Tuesday and Wednesday in the New York qualifying round. The U.S. Open begins a week on Sunday.