Emma Raducanu fell agonisingly short of securing her first victory against a world No1, succumbing to Aryna Sabalenka in an exhausting encounter at the Cincinnati Open.
The British No1 battled for over three hours before falling 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) to the defending champion.
Despite displaying remarkable resilience and determination throughout the gruelling contest, Raducanu's wait for a breakthrough win against a top-ranked player continues, maintaining an unwanted record.
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The 21-year-old pushed the Belarusian to her limits in a match that featured multiple momentum swings and high-quality tennis from both competitors.
Emma Raducanu was edged out by Aryna Sabalenka during an epic three-hour encounter | ReutersThe decisive tiebreak proved a nerve-wracking affair, with both players trading blows in the tension-filled finale.
Raducanu struck an ace to level at 1-1, but Sabalenka gradually seized control, establishing a 4-2 advantage.
The Belarusian extended her lead to 6-4, earning two match points with a spectacular net approach that culminated in a backhand volley winner.
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The world No1 felt the Cincinnati heat resorting to applying an ice pack on her head
|Reuters
Raducanu saved the initial match point with an impressive ace, demonstrating her fighting spirit until the very end.
However, Sabalenka sealed her hard-fought triumph with a thunderous ace down the centre line, concluding the epic battle after three hours and nine minutes.
A controversial moment arose during a pivotal stage of the deciding set when Raducanu requested the removal of a crying child from the stands.
With the score at 3-4 and facing multiple break points, the British player halted her service motion after hearing cries from the crowd.
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"It's been, like, 10 minutes," Raducanu told the umpire, expressing her frustration at the ongoing distraction.
The official responded with disbelief: "It's a child. Do you want me to kick the child out of the stadium?"
When spectators voiced support for the child's removal, Raducanu smiled and gestured towards them in agreement.
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Emma Raducanu will next be in action at the US Open
|Getty
Despite the disruption, she eventually held serve after an extraordinary 13 deuces and four saved break points.
The marathon encounter concluded with both players barely able to stand, propping themselves against the net whilst exchanging a warm embrace that reflected their mutual respect.
Sabalenka raised both arms skyward in relief, acknowledging the severity of the challenge she had overcome.
The victory marked a significant milestone for the Belarusian, who became the first player since Mary Joe Fernandez in 1992 to triumph in her opening ten WTA main draw matches against British opponents.
For Raducanu, the narrow defeat represented another encouraging performance against elite opposition, though the elusive first victory over a world No1 remains tantalisingly out of reach.
The British No1 will next be in action at the US Open at the end of the month, returning to the spot where she secured her infamous 2021 victory.