Emma Raducanu has advanced to the third round of the Cincinnati Open after a commanding straight-sets victory over Olga Danilovic. The British number one showcased a confident performance, winning 6-3, 6-2. This marks her first match with Rafael Nadal's former coach, Francisco Roig, as part of her team.
Raducanu, seeded at a WTA 1000 event for the first time since Cincinnati 2022, demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the match. Although she was initially broken in the first game, she quickly recovered, displaying the form reminiscent of her 2021 US Open victory. The first set saw multiple breaks of serve, but Raducanu secured a crucial break to lead 5-3 and then won seven consecutive points, clinching the set with an ace.
In the second set, Raducanu maintained her momentum, consistently pressuring Danilovic and capitalizing on errors. After a 2-2 tie, Raducanu broke serve and did not drop another game, securing the win in an hour and 20 minutes.
Raducanu's potential next opponent is world number one Aryna Sabalenka, setting up a possible rematch of their close Wimbledon encounter last month.
Other notable results from the Cincinnati Open include Iga Swiatek's comfortable win over Anastasia Potapova and Jannik Sinner's dominant victory against Daniel Elahi Galan. Madison Keys also secured a win, saving two match points against Eva Lys.
Raducanu's performance at the Cincinnati Open suggests a resurgence in her form. Despite a rocky start to the match against Danilovic, she quickly regained control and dominated the remainder of the match. Her confidence and improved gameplay have sparked optimism among tennis fans, with some even suggesting she could potentially replicate her 2021 US Open success.
The Cincinnati Open is a significant event in the lead-up to the US Open, and Raducanu's strong showing indicates her readiness to compete at the highest level. With Francisco Roig now in her corner, she appears to be on an upward trajectory, making her a player to watch in the upcoming weeks.