*Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 6-4, 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka
Raducanu crushes a backhand cross-court winner to level at 15-all, and a forehand error by a clearly frustrated Sabalenka gives the British No 1 a foothold – which she wastes with a backhand pumped too long. A big serve takes Sabalenka to 40-30, but she loses a groundstroke rally with a weak backhand into the net and that’s deuce.
But Sabalenka breaks out into smiles as she sees out the game by choosing to leave Raducanu’s on-the-run forehand, which lands long by about an inch. A little fortunate.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 20:08
Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 6-4, 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka*
Raducanu gets through another service game to 30, even with a couple of first serves missed, as Sabalenka dumps a backhand into the net.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:59
*Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 6-4, 1-2 Aryna Sabalenka
A long, battling game ends with Sabalenka firing a backhand cross-court winner. She had to save a break point en route, and she roars towards her team before marching back to her seat.
The world No 1 is not at her best here, but she’s pumped.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:54
Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 6-4, 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka*
Raducanu continues to serve well, mixing up her target from the deuce court with one down the T which foxes Sabalenka. It’s a hold to love.
Raducanu unleashes a forehand (Getty Images)
Sabalenka shows her frustration (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:47
*Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 6-4, 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka comes out and immediately loses two points, before serving her way out of trouble.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:45
The players are taking a five-minute heat break. Sabalenka is in the changing rooms, while Raducanu is out on court in deep conversation with her coach. Francis Roig says: “You’re better than her. You’re serving better than her.”
Raducanu goes to practice a few more serves, before Sabalenka returns for this deciding set.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:41
Raducanu hit 82% of first serve ins during the second set, which was the key to her comfortable holds. Sabalenka only managed 48%, and that figure must go up if she is to stay in the tournament.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:39
Second set! Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 6-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Raducanu fires a big serve to win the first point but Sabalenka crashes a forehand winner to level at 15-all. Sabalenka then wastes a second serve with a forehand into the net, and Raducanu brings up two set points. She dishes out an ace which brushes the outside of the line, to the confusion of Sabalenka, and Raducanu clinches the set!
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:36
*Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 5-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka holds, asking Raducanu to serve it out.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:31
Emma Raducanu 6-7(3), 5-3 Aryna Sabalenka*
Another excellent service game by Raducanu, who just misses a forehand down the line to win the game at 40-15, but takes the next point with a serve down the T which Sabalenka can only hit into the net.
Sabalenka will serve to stay in the second set.
Lawrence Ostlere11 August 2025 19:26