Emma Raducanu made a statement start to her Cincinnati Open campaign, sweeping past Serbia’s Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-2 in a composed display that also marked the debut of her new coaching partnership with Francis Roig, Rafael Nadal’s long-time former coach.
The British No 1, who stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open in 2021, is hoping the addition of Roig on a full-time basis will give her the consistency and edge she needs heading into this month’s Grand Slam in New York.
Saturday’s performance certainly suggested the pairing is already off to a promising start.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
It was not all smooth sailing early on. Raducanu was broken to love in the opening game, but quickly regained control in a set that featured four breaks in the first five games.
Emma Raducanu made a statement start to her Cincinnati Open campaign, sweeping past Serbia’s Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-2 in a composed display that also marked the debut of her new coaching partnership with Francis Roig, Rafael Nadal’s long-time former coach
|GETTY
At 5-3 up, she fought back from 30-0 down to secure another crucial break before sealing the opener with an ace.
In the second set, Raducanu began to dictate play, drawing errors from the Serbian No 1.
A break at 3-2 proved decisive, and the 22-year-old never looked back, reeling off the remaining games to book her place in the third round.
Ranked world No 39, just four spots above her opponent, Raducanu’s composure and aggression paid off.
JUST IN: Mohamed Salah blasts UEFA for treatment of 'Palestinian Pele' as striker dies in the Israel-Gaza war
“I’m really building some momentum,” Raducanu said afterwards.
“I’m happy with how I’ve stayed pretty consistent over the last few months. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m putting a lot of hours in behind the scenes and trusting in that work.”
Her next challenge will be formidable, with the Briton due to lock horns with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who ended Raducanu’s Wimbledon campaign last month in two tight sets.
Sabalenka, competing for the first time since her semi-final loss at SW19, overcame Czech Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1, saving 12 break points along the way.
READ MORE: Mason Greenwood has shirt ripped off as tensions boil over in pre-season friendly
Incredible from Raducanu 🤩#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/bESb8SKGih
— wta (@WTA) August 9, 2025
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, dispatched Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4 to reach the last 32.
Madison Keys, this year’s Australian Open champion, survived two match points before edging Germany’s Eva Lys 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).
The men’s draw also produced notable results. Newly crowned Wimbledon champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner breezed past Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in his first match since lifting the trophy at SW19.
Fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz served 12 aces en route to a 6-4, 6-4 victory over fellow American Emilio Nava.
However, the day wasn’t without upsets.
Italy’s eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti fell to France’s Benjamin Bonzi 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), while another Frenchman, Arthur Rinderknech, stunned 11th seed Casper Ruud of Norway 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Emma Raducanu believes she's 'building some momentum' as the US Open rapidly approaches
|GETTY
With the US Open starting on 24 August, Raducanu’s confident win in Ohio could be the springboard she needs to mount a deep run in New York.
Whether she can add another major to her name, four years after her memorable triumph in America, remains to be seen.