Emma Raducanu has set up another meeting against the world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Raducanu, alongside new coach Francisco Roig, won her first match at the Cincinnati Open against Olga Danilovic.
Due to her recent results, Raducanu actually has a chance to be seeded at the US Open this year.
However, Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw, with defending champion Sabalenka now standing in her way.
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty ImagesEmma Raducanu reveals she won’t ever forget about playing Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon
The upcoming match between Raducanu and Sabalenka will be a third time meeting, and their second in as many months.
That most recent meeting stands out, as Raducanu pushed Sabalenka all the way at Wimbledon, but was unable to hold her leads in both sets.
When looking back on that match, Raducanu told Tennis Channel that she took a lot of confidence from it and revealed that she would never forget the atmosphere inside a packed Centre Court.
“It was incredible,” said Raducanu. “I think it was my favourite match to be a part of in terms of atmosphere, it was electric, I’ve never felt anything like it. With the roof closed, especially, everything was amplified and the home support of course it was incredible.
“And I had chances in that match, which was for me a great thing, because I took a lot of confidence, I was on the right track, I think obviously grass is a different surface to here that it plays completely different, but to push the world number one to such great lengths it did give me a lot of confidence.
“Just the atmosphere I think overall is something I will never forget and that’s the reason I play tennis, you know to play in stadiums like that and crowds like that and just to be part of matches that are so competitive.”
Emma Raducanu explains why she did not celebrate much against Olga Danilovic
Raducanu beat Danilovic, 6-3 6-2, in a fairly comfortable straight sets victory for the 30th seed.
The celebrations for the Briton were noticeably subdued throughout, and she explained after the match that she was trying to conserve energy due to the heat and humidity in Cincinnati.
“Yeah absolutely, it was really, really hot today and humid, and tricky for both players,” said Raducanu. “It definitely made me stay focussed, really pick the moments where I would expend energy.
“You know, in between points there weren’t any big celebrations or anything, it was just trying to conserve energy and stay focussed. I had a small dip in the first set when I got broken, but other than that I am very happy with how I managed myself throughout the match.”
Raducanu will be hoping that she has a lot to celebrate when she plays Sabalenka in the third round of the Cincinnati Open on Monday, August 11.