Emma Raducanu will face another major test on Friday as she takes on 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina for a spot in the US Open fourth round.
The match comes after the British number one, ranked 36th, pushed world number one Aryna Sabalenka to the brink at both Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open. While she fell short in those encounters, her performances demonstrated encouraging progress against elite competition.
“When Raducanu has taken on top-10 players in previous years, it felt she was a little lightweight going up against the power players,” former world number one Lindsay Davenport told BBC Sport. “Over the last couple of months, that feeling has left my mind. Against Sabalenka, Raducanu was not only able to absorb the power but also able to push her around.”
Davenport added, “Facing Rybakina will be a huge battle – but I give Raducanu a chance.”
Despite these positive signs, the 22-year-old has won just three of her 17 career matches against top-10 opponents. Rybakina, seeded ninth in New York, is in formidable form herself, underscored by her recent dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over Sabalenka in Cincinnati.
Davenport, a three-time major champion renowned for her own powerful serve, also credited Raducanu’s physical gains. “It’s great to see her looking healthy and looking better on court,” she said. “Her serve is better and her legs look stronger.”
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