In a riveting third-round match at the Cincinnati Open, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka outlasted an in-form Emma Raducanu in a three-hour-and-nine-minute epic. While the nail-biting contest was a testament to Raducanu’s fighting spirit and resurgent form, it was Sabalenka who emerged victorious, etching her name into the history books in the process. With her hard-fought victory, Sabalenka not only advanced to the next round but also shattered a significant WTA record, solidifying her reputation as a player who thrives under immense pressure.
The Duel of Resurgence and Resilience
The match was a captivating display of two players on very different trajectories. For Raducanu, who has been working her way back from a series of injuries, the performance was a powerful statement of intent. She started the match with incredible momentum, winning the first eight points to go up 2-0. Her improved backhand slice and confident serving kept Sabalenka on her toes throughout the match. As the match wore on, Raducanu’s resilience was on full display, particularly during a monumental 20-minute, 13-deuce service game in the third set, where she saved four break points before finally holding serve. This was a moment that showcased her incredible mental toughness and physical endurance.
However, Sabalenka, who has become an “incredible, reliable competitor,” as one analyst put it, found a way to win even when she was not at her best. The world number one committed a staggering 72 unforced errors but still managed to produce her best tennis in the most crucial moments. This ability to “find a way” to victory, regardless of her struggles, is what sets her apart from many of her contemporaries.
A Record-Breaking Streak đ
The defining feature of Sabalenka’s game in recent months, and the key to her historic win, has been her absolute dominance in tie-breaks. Heading into the match, she was already on an impressive tie-break winning streak, but her two victories against Raducanu took her into uncharted territory. By winning both the first and third-set tie-breaks (7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)), Sabalenka broke not one, but two WTA records.
First, she has now won an astounding 18 tie-breaks in a single season, which is the highest tally in the Open Era. She had been tied with three other women for the previous record of 16. Second, with her two tie-break victories in the match, she extended her winning streak to 16 consecutive tie-breaks, breaking the record for the most tie-breaks won in a row by a woman in the Open Era. The previous record was 14, held by Sloane Stephens. These remarkable statistics highlight a player who, what was once a liability, has turned the tie-break into her greatest strength.
In her post-match interview, a relieved Sabalenka commented, “Happy to get through this match. I really hope I have a day tomorrow.” Her words underscore just how difficult the match was and how much she had to dig deep to secure the win. The victory was a demonstration of her evolution as a player and competitor. With a new addition to her coaching team, she showed a willingness to “approach the net in decisive points deep in the final set,” a sign of her continued development.
The Road Ahead
For Raducanu, while the loss was heartbreaking, it was a performance to be incredibly proud of. She proved that she is getting closer to the top of the game, stating after the match, “She’s world No 1 for a reason, and I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon so that’s an improvement.” The British star is now in her best form since her stunning 2021 US Open victory and will head into this year’s tournament with renewed confidence. For Sabalenka, the record-breaking win is another chapter in a season that has been defined by her mental toughness and her ability to perform at her best when it matters most. She will now face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the round of 16, with a clear path to defend her Cincinnati title and continue her historic season.
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