World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame a fierce challenge from Emma Raducanu to win 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) in the Cincinnati Open third round on Monday. The match lasted over three hours and marked Sabalenka’s 49th victory this year on the WTA Tour. Last year’s Cincinnati champion showed great determination despite finishing with only two aces in the final moments.
“I’m happy to get through this difficult match,” Sabalenka said. “I just hope tomorrow is a day off. I need time to recover from such a great battle.”
Raducanu, Britain’s top-ranked player, fought tenaciously throughout. She saved four break points during a marathon eighth game in the final set. That game had 13 deuces. Raducanu finally held serve at 4-4, forcing a tiebreak.
Sabalenka’s Bold Play Secures Victory in Nail-Biting Tiebreak
Sabalenka took control in the deciding tiebreak by firing her sixth ace at 5-4. She closed the match with her seventh ace on the second match point. The contest lasted three hours and nine minutes.
“It was all about momentum,” Sabalenka explained. “I took some risks at the end, went for crazy shots, went to the net.” She added, “A risky game from me helped to put a lot of pressure on her.” Sabalenka then shared a warm hug with Raducanu at the net.
With this win, Sabalenka aims for her 10th WTA 1000 title. It is also her second crown of the season, after winning Madrid earlier this year.Sabalenka Edges Past Raducanu in Cincinnati Open Third Round Clash
Key Results from Cincinnati Open’s Third Round
Other notable third-round matches included Ekaterina Alexandrova defeating Australia’s Maya Joint 6-4, 6-3. Sorana Cirstea rallied to beat Yuan Yue 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4. She will face third seed Iga Swiatek, who advanced by walkover.
Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, a recent quarter-finalist in Montreal, won 6-4, 6-1 against American wildcard Taylor Townsend. She will meet Sabalenka in the next round on Wednesday.
In the men’s draw, seventh seed Holger Rune defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. This was Rune’s 99th win on hard courts. Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced after French opponent Arthur Rinderknech retired due to heat illness. Meanwhile, American Frances Tiafoe beat Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-4 in 82 minutes.
Stay tuned for all the latest Sports News, follow Todaysmatchprediction on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
