Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is riding a wave of confidence into the 2025 US Open, with tennis experts and fans buzzing about her potential to “deliver shock waves” at Flushing Meadows following a thrilling performance against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open. The 22-year-old Brit’s narrow 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) loss in a three-hour, nine-minute epic on August 11 showcased her ability to compete with the WTA’s elite, fueling optimism for a deep run in New York starting August 25. Guided by new coach Francisco Roig, Raducanu’s resurgence signals she could be a dark horse at the season’s final Grand Slam.
The Cincinnati clash was a rollercoaster, with Raducanu pushing Sabalenka to the brink in a match defined by a 22-minute, 13-deuce game where she saved four break points to hold serve. “She’s world No. 1 for a reason,” Raducanu said post-match, her voice a mix of pride and determination. “I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon, so that’s an improvement.” Unlike their July 2025 Wimbledon encounter, where Sabalenka prevailed 7-6(6), 6-4, Raducanu claimed a set—her first against the Belarusian—finishing with an ace and outscoring Sabalenka 125-122 in total points. Her improved serving, landing 82% of first serves in the second set, and aggressive baseline play under Roig’s tutelage highlighted her progress. “I think starting the point is a big takeaway,” she noted, pinpointing her focus on maintaining consistency against top players like Sabalenka, who extended her tiebreak streak to 18-1 in 2025.
Raducanu’s Cincinnati performance, where she received a first-round bye and dispatched Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-2, was a microcosm of her 2025 season—a blend of resilience and growth. After a challenging start with first-round exits in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, she reached the third round at the Australian Open, the fourth round at the Italian Open, and the semifinals at the Washington Open, defeating Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari. Her summer swing, including a quarterfinal at Queen’s Club and a win over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, showed she’s closing the gap with the tour’s best. “This is my first year on tour playing most of the calendar,” Raducanu said, reflecting on her busiest season yet. “The players I’m playing and losing to, they’re all top players, so that gives me confidence.”
Sabalenka, who advanced to face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in Cincinnati, was effusive in her praise. “I’m super happy to see her mentally and physically back,” she said, predicting Raducanu’s return to the top 10. “She’s moving well, she’s a smart player.” The Belarusian’s words echo the sentiment on platforms like X, where fans hailed Raducanu’s fight: “She gave Sabalenka ALOT of problems today and made her fight for that win, nobody can do that that often!” one user posted. Despite the loss, Raducanu’s ability to challenge Sabalenka in sweltering 32°C heat—where one player fainted and a child’s crying sparked a brief controversy—underscored her mental toughness. Her request to remove the distracting child divided opinions, with some defending her need for focus and others criticizing it as harsh, but it highlighted her commitment to staying locked in.
The US Open, where Raducanu made history as the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in 2021, looms large. Her live ranking of No. 34, boosted by withdrawals from Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa, put her on the cusp of a seeding, but Veronika Kudermetova’s Cincinnati win pushed her to No. 35 or 36, leaving her unseeded. “Nobody wants to see Emma in their draw at the US Open,” an X post declared, reflecting her threat as a floater. Her partnership with Roig, who coached Rafael Nadal for 17 years, has sharpened her serve and aggression, evident in her three top-10 wins this season, including Pegula and Sakkari. “I think we practised well. I made some improvements,” Raducanu said of Roig’s impact, which included vocal encouragement during the Sabalenka match, earning him an umpire warning.
As Raducanu prepares for New York, where she hasn’t won a match since her 2021 triumph, her Cincinnati performance offers hope. She’ll also team up with Carlos Alcaraz in the new mixed doubles event, adding excitement to her campaign. “Emma can deliver shock waves,” an analyst remarked, citing her ability to unsettle top seeds like Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, or Iga Świątek. With a steely resolve and a game that’s clicking, Raducanu is ready to make waves at Flushing Meadows, proving her 2021 fairy tale was just the beginning.
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