World No 34 yet to win match in New York since title
Briton has impressed on hard court circuit this year
Emma Raducanu said she will return to New York feeling calmer and more confident about herself and her prospects at the US Open than she has since she won the title there four years ago. She put together a brilliant performance against Aryna Sabalenka in the third round of the Cincinnati Open on Monday, narrowly losing 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5) after three hours and nine minutes.
Her impressive level was a reflection of the significant progress she has made in a positive summer on the North American hard courts.
“This is my first year on tour playing most of the calendar,” she said. “I had a tough start to the year and it was very difficult to change that. But in the last few months I’ve been building and the level has been increasing. The players I’m playing and losing to, they’re all top players so that gives me confidence.”
