Emma Raducanu ‘Proud’ of pushing Aryna Sabalenka to limit in Cincinnati Open

Emma Raducanu says that she is proud of the improvements she shown on Monday afternoon, while she pushed Aryna Sabalenka to the utmost in their punitive struggle.

Five weeks after their memorable third-round competition in Wimbledon, Raducanu showed her continuous progress by making life even more difficult for the world no. 1 in Cincinnati and near the best individual victory of her career. After three hours and nine minutes on the field, Raducanu lost 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5).

“It is not for nothing that she is the world no.” And too, it was good to have this result on a hard court, because it is very different from grass. I always thought that grass takes a lot more and I still believe that I have pushed her to such a hard court, I am pretty proud of it. “

The 30th seed continued: “I think starting the point is a big collection meal. I think she did that incredibly well in the big moments, she really returned and returned. I also at certain times of the game. To keep that level when starting the point in the game is a big thing for me.”

After losing the first set, Raducanu recovered brilliant, served well for large pieces and then found a road through an incredible 13-Ged service game on 3-4 in the last set. Eventually Sabalenka showed her mental resilience by saving her best tennis for the most important moments.

“You take the lessons of this,” said Raducanu, 22. “I was able to play some good tennis for patches of the game, but I think it was also deposited for other patches of the game. So I think I work with work and I did the most to have the most positives.”

The defeat of Raducanu also marks her first tournament with her new coach Francisco Roig, a former member of the Rafael Nadal coaching team, who has been working with the Brit since last Tuesday. After her comfortable victory over the second round against Olga Danilovic, this was their first big match together. Roig was extraordinary vocal with encouragement and specific tactical advice.

“I think the first week went well,” said Raducanu. “I think we have practiced well. I have made some improvements and I think you could see some things that we have practiced for certain moments. But given that it has only been a week, I think there have been improvements.”