In a highly anticipated third-round clash at the 2025 US Open, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 champion, faced a formidable challenge against Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, at Flushing Meadows. The match, played on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, showcased Rybakina’s relentless power and precision, as she dispatched Raducanu in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, in just 62 minutes. This victory marked Rybakina’s first-ever advancement to the fourth round in New York, completing her set of second-week appearances at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Raducanu, the British No. 1, entered the match with momentum after two commanding victories over qualifiers Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen. Her serve had been a cornerstone of her game, with an impressive 78% first-serve points won and eight aces across her earlier matches. However, against the ninth-seeded Rybakina, Raducanu struggled to find her rhythm. “It was a difficult experience facing her when she was playing so well. I just feel that in every department she was better,” Raducanu reflected post-match, acknowledging the steep challenge posed by Rybakina’s aggressive play.
From the outset, Rybakina asserted her dominance, breaking Raducanu’s serve in the opening game after the Brit fell 0-40 behind. The Kazakh’s groundstrokes were crisp and devastating, with 23 winners painting the baseline, leaving Raducanu with little time to execute her game plan of taking the ball early and engaging in extended rallies. Rybakina’s serve was equally formidable, with an 86% first-serve point win rate and 70% on second serves, denying Raducanu a single break point opportunity. “I’m really happy with the performance. It’s always not easy to play against Emma,” Rybakina said in her on-court interview. “The score doesn’t show it, but she’s a tough competitor.”
The first set was a one-sided affair, with Rybakina surging to a 3-0 lead and securing a 6-1 scoreline in just 27 minutes. Raducanu’s hopes of a comeback in the second set were quickly dashed when she squandered a 40-0 lead on her serve, allowing Rybakina to break and maintain her momentum. Despite brief moments where Raducanu showed glimpses of her trademark resilience, Rybakina’s consistent pressure and powerful returns proved insurmountable. The match concluded with Raducanu sending a backhand long, sealing Rybakina’s place in the Round of 16, where she will face either seventh seed Jasmine Paolini or 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
This defeat marked the end of Raducanu’s most promising US Open campaign since her fairy-tale title run in 2021. The 22-year-old, now ranked No. 36, has shown signs of resurgence this season, with a 24-17 record and strong performances on the North American hard courts, including pushing world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to a final-set tiebreak in Cincinnati. However, her 3-15 record against top-10 players underscores the challenge of competing against the elite. “I need to try my best to not let this match overshadow all the good work I’ve been doing,” Raducanu said, focusing on the positives from her recent form.
For Rybakina, the victory was a significant milestone. Despite her success at other Grand Slams, the US Open had been a stumbling block, with a 6-6 record in New York prior to this year. Her recent form, highlighted by a win over Sabalenka in Cincinnati, signals her potential to contend for the title. “It’s true, in the past few years it’s not been easy at the US Open and I was not successful,” Rybakina noted. “I hope this year it will change.”
Raducanu’s journey at Flushing Meadows may have ended, but her performance this season offers hope for a climb back toward the top 20. With few ranking points to defend, she has an opportunity to build momentum in upcoming tournaments. Meanwhile, Rybakina’s clinical display solidifies her status as a favorite, as she aims to go deeper into the tournament and challenge the women’s tennis elite.
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