Croft urges Emma to battle the blokes

EMMA RADUCANU has been urged to train with “blokes” to learn how to tame the power of the top female stars. The British No.1 lost in only 62 minutes to former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at the US Open.

- Neil McLeman

And the world No.34 admitted she could not handle the “clean and heavy” hitting of her higher-raked opponent.

She said: “The ball just comes through really, really fast, and you feel like you just don’t really have any time. It’s just constant pressure.

I never got a chance to settle or get any rhythm.”

Raducanu has lost to Iga Swiatek (Australian and French Opens), Aryna Sabalenka (Wimbledon) and now Rybakina in the Majors this season — and has yet to beat a top-10 player in a Grand Slam.

She insisted she is happy with her progress under new Spanish coach Francis Roig (inset).