Emma Raducanu has stormed into the third round of the 2025 US Open with a display of poise and precision, reigniting memories of her fairy-tale 2021 title run at Flushing Meadows. The British No. 1, now 22, has dropped just six games across her first two matches, showcasing a revitalized game under the guidance of new coach Francisco Roig. As she prepares for a high-stakes third-round clash with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on August 29, Raducanu has made it clear that her focus is not on recapturing the US Open crown but on a different goal: incremental improvement and testing herself against the world’s best. “Of course, if I’m going to want to win a Grand Slam, you have to beat all the players in the draw, but I don’t think right now that’s my goal or my objective. I’m not trying to win the tournament, to be honest,” she said, her words reflecting a mature perspective shaped by a challenging yet transformative season.
Raducanu’s journey to the third round has been nothing short of dominant. In her opener, she dispatched Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium, marking her first US Open win since her 2021 triumph. Her second-round match against Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen, who had stunned 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova, was equally emphatic—a 6-2, 6-1 victory in exactly one hour. Raducanu’s serve, often a point of concern in recent years, was a standout, with eight aces and 78% of first-serve points won. “I thought that I served very well and I put quite a few aces on the board today. It always helps me when I’m serving well. It just kind of seeps into the rest of my game,” she noted, crediting her aggressive play for keeping Tjen, a crafty player inspired by Ash Barty, on the defensive. “I thought that she was very dangerous and any ball I put mid-court was going to be punished,” Raducanu added, highlighting her tactical discipline in dictating points.
Now, Raducanu faces a formidable test against Rybakina, the world No. 10 and ninth seed, whose powerful serve and booming groundstrokes make her a threat to any opponent. The two have met only once before, in Sydney in 2022, where Rybakina delivered a 6-0, 6-1 thrashing—one of the most one-sided losses of Raducanu’s career. Yet, Raducanu draws confidence from recent battles against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, including a thrilling tie-break loss in Cincinnati. “She’s been at the top of the game for so long and very dominant and has big weapons, has a huge serve and big ground strokes,” Raducanu said of Rybakina. “So I do want to see how my game suits and fits against the top. I still think I have a long way to go, but I have been making steps towards getting closer and narrowing that gap.” She acknowledged Rybakina’s recent form, noting, “Elena is a different opponent. She beat Aryna in Cincy in straight sets. It’s going to be a tough match.”
Rybakina, 26, has had an uneven season, failing to advance past the fourth round at any Grand Slam in 2025. Her second-round match against Czech teenager Tereza Valentova was a grind, with Rybakina saving four set points to win 6-3, 7-6(9). Off the court, she’s faced scrutiny after her coach, Stefano Vukov, was briefly banned amid allegations of mistreatment, which she firmly denied. His recent return to her team adds another layer of intrigue to the matchup. Despite their lopsided history, Raducanu and Rybakina share a friendly rapport, having partnered in doubles at the Washington Open in July. “I first knew her in 2022 when I was with Dimitri [Tursunov] and she was with Stefano,” Raducanu said, reflecting on their bond. Rybakina echoed the sentiment, praising Raducanu’s growth: “She’s playing really well. She knows this place better than anyone else.”
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a tale of resilience. Unseeded at the US Open due to her current No. 36 ranking, she’s faced tough draws, falling to Iga Swiatek in Australia and Paris and Sabalenka at Wimbledon. “I think I’ve had some tough draws, but that also comes with the ranking I’m at. I have to accept it, I’m not seeded,” she admitted. Her goal now is to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time this year, a milestone that would signal her progress. “I need to play these top girls, and I think a win against one of them gives you a lot of confidence in general, but I know I just need to keep doing the right things day to day and the results I can’t really control,” she said. With a career-best consistency and a revitalized serve, Raducanu is poised to challenge Rybakina in a match that could redefine her trajectory, proving she’s closing the gap to the elite.
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