Emma Raducanu had dropped only six games in her first two matches, both against qualifiers, before facing Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. Rybakina applied immediate pressure, using her powerful, precise serve to secure early break(s) and take a 3-0 lead. Rybakina converted break points and dominated service games, while Raducanu struggled to contain Rybakina's hitting and conceded her first service game of the tournament. Other matches starting included Jiri Lehecka versus Raphael Collignon and Benjamin Bonzi against Arthur Rinderknech. Pundits Tim Henman and Marion Bartoli backed Raducanu, despite Rybakina's 2022 6-0, 6-1 win and recent doubles partnership.
Raducanu dropped only six games in her first two matches. But both were against qualifiers; Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champ, represents a huge step up in quality. Raducanu has tended to struggle against the biggest hitters and is letting Rybakina dictate early on here but the way in which she stood up to Aryna Sabalenka in two tight defeats at Wimbledon and Cincinnati this summer will give her hope. But Rybakina backs up the break and it's 3-0.
Rybakina underlines why she's the best server in the women's game with some pinpoint deliveries to get to 40-15 in the opening game. The Russia-born Kazakhstani then misfires from the baseline, but holds to 30 when Raducanu rattles her return long. Rybakina bosses the next game too, charging to 0-40 and three break points. Raducanu repels the first, Rybakina blinks on the second but makes no mistake on the third. Raducanu drops serve for the first time at this US Open and it's 2-0.
On Sky, Tim Henman is backing the Brit, but reckons it'll go to three sets. Marion Bartoli is also going with Raducanu. Big call. The head-to-head doesn't help us much: ER has met ER only once before, back in 2022, though Rybakina did thrash Raducanu 6-0, 6-1. The pair have plenty of respect for each other and played doubles together last month in Washington DC.
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