"US Open 2025: Raducanu and Alcaraz headline day six action – live"

Match Recap

Raducanu registers her first game with a sharp forehand winner, sealing the hold to 15. It was a moment that likely boosted her confidence. However, Rybakina remains unfazed, quickly holding to 15 as Raducanu misfires on several forehands. Rybakina has a way of appearing calm and effortless while delivering powerful, dominant play. She demonstrates this with a double break, extending her lead to 5-1. After just 22 minutes, the ninth seed is serving for the first set.

Raducanu had only lost six games across her first two matches, but those opponents were qualifiers. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, presents a far greater challenge. While Raducanu has sometimes struggled against powerful hitters—allowing Rybakina to control play early—her competitive matches against Aryna Sabalenka earlier this season suggest she can rise to the occasion. Still, Rybakina consolidates her break, making it 3-0.

Rybakina showcases her renowned serve early, placing precise deliveries to reach 40-15 in the opening game. A wayward shot from the baseline gives Raducanu a brief opening, but the Brit sends her return long, and Rybakina holds to 30. The next game sees Rybakina pressure Raducanu, racing to 0-40 for three break points. Raducanu saves the first, Rybakina falters on the second, but converts the third as Raducanu loses serve for the first time this tournament—2-0.

Elsewhere, matches include Jiri Lehecka, the 20th seed from the Czech Republic, facing Belgium’s Raphael Collignon, who previously upset Casper Ruud, and an all-French encounter between Benjamin Bonzi and Arthur Rinderknech.

Analysts remain divided. One former player supports Raducanu, predicting a three-set battle, while another also favors the Brit. Their only prior meeting in 2022 heavily favored Rybakina, but the two have since developed mutual respect, even partnering in doubles recently.

Raducanu walks onto the court with a relaxed demeanor, followed shortly by Rybakina. The British player has appeared more at ease this week, winning matches at the US Open for the first time since her 2021 breakthrough. Rybakina, despite her Wimbledon success, has yet to progress past the third round in New York. As the warm-up concludes, the anticipation builds.