In the searing heat of Cincinnati, the 2025 Cincinnati Open delivered a tennis spectacle that left fans breathless as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka clashed with British star Emma Raducanu in a third-round epic that stretched over three hours. The match, a rematch of their gripping Wimbledon encounter earlier in the summer, was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, culminating in Sabalenka’s hard-fought 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) victory. The Belarusian’s triumph, sealed in a tense third-set tiebreak, showcased her relentless power and mental fortitude, while Raducanu’s spirited performance signaled her resurgence as a force to be reckoned with. After the match, Sabalenka’s candid reflections offered insight into her mindset and respect for her opponent, setting the stage for an electrifying buildup to the US Open.
The match was a study in contrasts: Sabalenka’s explosive baseline game and thunderous serve, which clocked up to 124 mph, against Raducanu’s agility, tactical shot-making, and steely resolve. From the outset, both players traded blows like heavyweight fighters. Raducanu struck first, earning a break point in the second game, only for Sabalenka to respond with a break of her own, leveling the score. The top seed surged ahead, rattling off four consecutive games to seize control, but Raducanu, undeterred, clawed back to 4-4, saving two break points in a critical service game. The first set culminated in a tiebreak, where Sabalenka’s experience shone, her 15-match tiebreak winning streak intact as she clinched it 7-3 in just under an hour. “She played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on the intensity of their battle. “To get this win, I had to fight for every point like crazy.”
The second set saw Raducanu elevate her game, particularly on serve, landing 23 of 28 first serves and unleashing a second-serve ace to secure the set 6-4 after breaking Sabalenka in the seventh game. Her newfound confidence, bolstered by new coach Francisco Roig, formerly of Rafael Nadal’s camp, was evident. However, the third set became a war of attrition, highlighted by an extraordinary 23-minute eighth game featuring 13 deuces. Raducanu, facing four break points, held serve with a mix of aces and sheer grit, her resilience drawing gasps from the crowd. “I’m super happy to see her mentally and physically back,” Sabalenka noted, acknowledging Raducanu’s tenacity and her potential to soon crack the top 10.
As the match hurtled toward another tiebreak, tension gripped the P&G Centre Court. Sabalenka took an early mini-break, but Raducanu fought back, leveling at 4-4 with a blazing ace. The Belarusian, however, found another gear, fizzing groundstrokes into corners and charging the net for a backhand volley winner to earn two match points. Raducanu saved the first with a wide serve, but Sabalenka sealed the deal with a booming ace down the T, collapsing in relief as she extended her tiebreak streak to 16. “What an atmosphere. My ears are still hurting, honestly. It was super loud!” she exclaimed, her words capturing the electric energy of the Cincinnati crowd.
Raducanu’s performance, though ending in defeat, was a testament to her resurgence. The 2021 US Open champion, now seeded at a WTA 1000 event for the first time in three years, has climbed back into the top 40 with a 21-10 record in 2025. Her recent successes, including a semifinal run in Washington and a quarterfinal at the Miami Open, signal a return to the form that made her a global sensation. “It’s like a fact-finding match,” Raducanu had said before the match, viewing the showdown as a chance to measure herself against the best. Despite falling short, her ability to push Sabalenka to the brink—saving seven set points at Wimbledon and holding firm in Cincinnati’s marathon games—shows she’s closing the gap. “I’m reasonable enough, and I guess honest enough with myself, to know that different surfaces favor different people,” she added, reflecting on how hard courts, where Sabalenka thrives, posed a unique challenge compared to their grass-court duel.
For Sabalenka, the defending Cincinnati champion, the victory was a crucial step in her US Open preparations. After a semifinal loss to Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon and a restful skip of the Canadian Open, her 24-4 hard-court record in 2025 underscores her dominance. Bolstered by new consulting coach Max Mirnyi, a former doubles legend, Sabalenka’s mental toughness was on full display, saving 12 break points against Marketa Vondrousova in the second round and navigating Raducanu’s relentless pressure. “She challenged me that much, and I like to accept tough challenges,” she said, her excitement palpable about facing Raducanu on hard courts.
As Sabalenka advances to face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the round of 16, and Raducanu sets her sights on the US Open—where she’s provisionally a top-32 seed—the Cincinnati clash has set the stage for a thrilling North American swing. Sabalenka’s ability to thrive under pressure and Raducanu’s dogged determination promise more fireworks in New York. For now, Sabalenka’s telling statement about Raducanu’s bright future resonates: a nod to a rivalry that’s only just beginning to heat up.
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