'Calmer' Raducanu feels in best place for run at US Open since 2021 title win

British No 1 in buoyant mood about hard-court form after narrow defeat by Sabalenka

- Tumaini Carayol

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."

That confidence marks a significant contrast to Raducanu's inconsistent presence on tour last year because of injuries and training blocks scheduled during the season. The 22-year-old did not compete for four weeks last year in the lead-up to the US Open, where she lost in the first round against Sofia Kenin.