Emma Raducanu has spent recent months focused on refining her game to better compete with top players, but her latest encounter with an elite opponent only underscored the challenges still ahead.
In a match that followed a now familiar pattern, the British No. 1 found herself largely overwhelmed by the dominant play of 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who secured a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 62 minutes to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.
The loss concludes Raducanu’s grand slam season on an interesting note. While she hasn’t suffered any surprising defeats in major tournaments this year, her losses have come against top-tier opponents—Iga Świątek (twice), Aryna Sabalenka, and now Rybakina. Apart from her competitive two-set match against Sabalenka at Wimbledon, these contests have been one-sided. Though she has faced tough draws, Raducanu’s game has often appeared outmatched against opponents with greater power and consistency.
"I’ve lost to Iga twice, Aryna, and Elena—so it hasn’t been easy," Raducanu said. "But this is where my ranking is right now. I could face top players early in any tournament. Over the next few months, I’ll keep working to try and narrow the gap."
Raducanu recently began working with Spanish coach Francisco Roig, and while she believes parts of her game have improved, she acknowledges their partnership is still developing. "I definitely see progress in some areas," she said. "Today exposed my weaknesses, but we’ve only been working together for three weeks. Things won’t change overnight. I know we’re on the right path, and I’m looking forward to putting in more work."
Rybakina had been unimpressive in her previous match, a hard-fought win over qualifier Tereza Valentova. Yet Raducanu’s reputation as a grand slam champion seems to bring out the best in top opponents. For Raducanu, the task is clear: elevate her game to meet the challenge.
"I think when top players face me, they feel they have something to prove—that they belong where they are," she said. "Every time I’ve played one, they’ve shown it. As I improve and gain more respect, their level against me rises too. I take it as a compliment that they come prepared, but it also shows how much more I need to work on."
Despite the defeat, Raducanu had hoped for a different outcome this time.
Read next
"Brighton’s inclusivity sets stage for sold-out World Cup weekend"
Brighton Prepares for a Sporting Celebration Like No Other
While Villa Park will draw attention for England’s match against Andorra and Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, few events in global sports this weekend will rival the atmosphere in Brighton. The appeal isn’t just about entertainment or scheduled
"Anisimova clashes with Sabalenka and inner struggles in US Open finale"
Amanda Anisimova’s Resilience Shines Ahead of US Open Final
Amanda Anisimova struggled to keep her emotions in check in the days leading up to the season’s last major tournament. As the American prepared for her first-round match, the weight of her own expectations became a source of intense
"England vs Andorra WC qualifier preview, WSL discussion, and Football League updates – live coverage"
Key Moments
Much of England’s camp has revolved around discussions about the recently concluded transfer period. On Friday, the focus was on Dan Burn’s challenge against Alexander Isak.
Recent Matches
Denmark and Scotland played out a goalless draw in a match that was far from thrilling but still