“It was a big lift,” Hall of Famer tennis expert delighted with Emma Raducanu’s performance in Cincinnati after wins over Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka
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Emma Raducanu
World No. 11 Emma Raducanu finally showed some good performance during her run at the 2022 Cincinnati Open where she lost in the Round of 16. Emma was defeated by the in-form Jessica Pegula as the American won the match 7-5, 6-4 to knock out the reigning US Open champ who was desperate for long runs ahead of her title defence.
Nevertheless, Emma’s victories in the first two rounds would do her confidence some good. She started her campaign in Cincinnati against the legendary Serena Williams, who is currently on her retirement tour, and defeated her 6-4, 6-0 becoming the 10th woman to bagel Serena during her illustrious career. Post the win over Serena, Emma defeated former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka ousting the Belarusian 6-0, 6-2 to become the first player to bagel both Williams and Azarenka.
“It’s been long overdue,” Steve Flink on Emma Raducanu’s good results
With many hoping Raducanu has found her rhythm and wanted to see a deep run from Emma, it was cut short in the next round by Pegula who narrowly edged the British teenager, a narrative that has been following Emma throughout the season where despite the good fight, Emma eventually turns up on the wrong side of the result. Discussing Emma’s run in Cincinnati, Hall of Famer contributor Steve Flink, a renowned journalist, gave his insight speaking with David Beilinson on the Court Side with Beilinson Podcast.
“You said it David. It’s been a long overdue I believe. She still had a learning curve after the Open despite how spectacular she was there last year, understandable. But you put your finger on it. It was one thing with Serena struggling physically, Serena apparently had a little issue over the weekend and they pushed the match for one night but it didn’t help her (Serena) much.
“But then to follow it up with beating Azarenka more decisively that she beat Serena, that was a big lift for Emma and as you mentioned, the Pegula match, that was a hard-fought well played match, no disgrace. She is such a tough Pro, she can beat about anybody, so it was a lift, it was a big lift this week for Emma.
“I hope that’s what she needs because it would be a tall order to defend the Open title but I don’t you want to see her lose early either and I am hoping she can make something of a run there and rekindle some of the memories from a year ago,” said Flink hoping that Emma has a decent run in the upcoming 2022 US Open which begins on 29th August in New York where the Brit is the defending champion.
Emma has taken the week off and is not participating in any event this week to take rest and prepare for the Grand Slam commencing next week. Currently, with 2756 points on the 11th spot in the ranking, a poor run in New York could take Emma well outside the Top 50 in the rankings paving a difficult road for her to return to the top layer of rankings.
Also Read: “Star in making” Nick Kyrgios picks Carlos Alcaraz as his favorite to win the US Open 2022
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Sarthak Shitole
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