Emma Raducanu began her partnership with new coach Francisco Roig in perfect fashion, easing past Serbia’s Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round of the Cincinnati Open. The 30th seed delivered a composed and efficient performance on a hot and humid day, continuing her strong run against lower-ranked opponents.
Raducanu’s consistency has been a hallmark of her recent progress, boasting a 19-4 record against players ranked beneath her over the past year. She highlighted her growing maturity and calm approach, noting that trust in her training has helped remove some of the pressure around results.
Roig, who was courtside offering tactical guidance, has already influenced Raducanu’s game despite their partnership being less than a week old. She pointed to improvements in shot quality and execution of training-ground work during key moments in the match. Both player and coach have agreed on the need to raise her overall level, focusing on improving every aspect of her game.
The match began with a shaky start from Raducanu, as early unforced errors and a double fault cost her the opening game. Danilovic, a left-handed attacker with a powerful serve and forehand, dictated early rallies, forcing Raducanu to defend deep behind the baseline. However, the Briton’s excellent depth on returns and solid defensive play turned the tide. She limited Danilovic’s opportunities to attack and patiently looked for chances to take the ball early, which increased her opponent’s error count.
As the first set progressed, Raducanu settled into a rhythm, growing in confidence and using the court speed to her advantage. By the second set, she was controlling points, moving forward more often, and exploiting Danilovic’s weaker movement. The match closed with Raducanu in full command, sealing her place in the next round.
Her victory sets up a high-profile clash with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who overcame Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets. It will be a significant test of Raducanu’s progress under Roig and an opportunity to measure herself against one of the game’s top performers.
After missing most of last year’s North American swing, Raducanu has enjoyed a strong summer on hard courts, with a semi-final run in Washington and two wins in Montreal. Cincinnati offers her another chance to build momentum ahead of the US Open.
