Cincinnati, August 10(HS): Britain’s Emma Raducanu began her partnership with new coach Francis Roig in style, defeating Serbia’s Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open.
Roig, best known for his long stint coaching Rafael Nadal, joined Raducanu’s team full time as she prepares for the upcoming US Open. Playing the WTA 1,000 event for the first time since 2022, the 22-year-old overcame an early setback after being broken to love in the opening game. She recovered with four breaks in the first set, sealing it with an ace on her first set point.
In the second set, the world No. 39 capitalized on her opponent’s errors, breaking for 3-2 and winning the final four games to wrap up victory. Raducanu could next face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, whom she narrowly lost to at Wimbledon last month.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Poland’s Iga Swiatek progressed with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Anastasia Potapova, while American Madison Keys saved two match points to beat Germany’s Eva Lys 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).
In the men’s event, Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner returned with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Daniel Elahi Galan. There were also upsets as France’s Benjamin Bonzi defeated eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti, and compatriot Arthur Rinderknech overcame 11th seed Casper Ruud.
The Cincinnati Open serves as key preparation for the US Open, which begins on 24 August in New York.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
