Emma Raducanu has just shown exactly why she can beat Aryna Sabalenka after what she’s changed since Wimbledon

Emma Raducanu cruised through her opening-round match against Olga Danilovic in an impressive return to the Cincinnati Open.

However, despite being seeded, things get no easier for the British number one, as Aryna Sabalenka awaits in the Round of 32.

The top-ranked player in the entire world, and for good reason, the big-hitting Belarusian has crushed almost everyone in her path throughout 2025, despite suffering a few hiccups at the Grand Slams.

Most recently, she was shockingly defeated by Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon, an event she was the heavy favourite to win.

However, Sabalenka could very easily have lost way before that semi-final, as she was pushed to the brink by Raducanu.

Why Emma Raducanu lost her Wimbledon match vs Aryna Sabalenka

Having impressed in her opening two matches, particularly against Marketa Vondrousova, the 22-year-old was brimming with confidence as she faced the world number one.

She was not expected to win, but the hope was that she could certainly trouble her and exhibit all the progress she had made throughout the year.

Fortunately for the Centre Court crowd, she did far more than that, and had fine opportunities to snatch both sets, which she subsequently lost.

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It was one of her most impressive performances to date, despite the record showing a straight-sets defeat, and for many, proved that Raducanu is not that far away from returning to the apex of the sport.

In the end, it was once again her win percentage on that second serve which let her down in the crucial moments, allowing Sabalenka to break four times from the 15 opportunities she forged. The Brit won just 41% of points behind her second serve that night.

Fortunately for Emma Raducanu, this could be a weakness that has been plugged since then.

Emma Raducanu has the tools to beat Aryna Sabalenka

After all, in her opening-round match against Danilovic, she looked so impressive on serve, even if she was broken twice.

With one of the fiercest returning games on the tour, it feels like Raducanu only ever needs a few holds of serve to secure a set.

And, given that she was winning a much-improved 73% of points behind her second serve, the chances of Sabalenka bringing up as many break point opportunities in their next match seem slim.

Raducanu has praised her new coach Francisco Roig for what he has already brought to her coaching team, as a partnership that has already had a fine start.

https://www.sofascore.com/tennis/match/emma-raducanu-olga-danilovic/PVEbsgAdc#id:14316443?utm_source=tennishead&utm_medium=Tennis

What better way to reaffirm that notion than with a statement win against Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open?

She knows exactly what she needs to do to topple the 27-year-old, and if she can replicate that serving form from the Danilovic match, we could see that happen.

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