Emma Raducanu has once again been beaten by Aryna Sabalenka, in a hard-fought clash in the Cincinnati sunshine, decided by a third-set tiebreak.
It feels like Groundhog Day, as around a month ago, we were coming off the back of another enticing encounter between these two at Wimbledon, in which the world number one came out on top, and the British number one played with so much heart.
Once again, there are plenty of positives for Emma Raducanu to take, but the record will show yet another loss to a top-ten player, albeit a three-set one.
If she is to return to the apex of the WTA rankings, lots still need to change, but this was so, so promising.
Fortunately, with Francisco Roig by her side, she is in good company to achieve the necessary progression.
Emma Raducanu scolded by chair umpire
However, it was actually her ongoing dialogue with the new coach that landed her in hot water with the chair umpire, who scolded her during a changeover.
After all, she had broken an important tennis rule, as she scampered to the back of the court to receive instructions from Roig immediately after the game was over.
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Similarly, the Spaniard stood to project his message, despite coaches not being allowed to get out of their seats to interact with players.
As such, the Cincinnati Open umpire claimed: “Emma, you cannot actively approach him and he cannot leave his position. You cannot have a conversation.”
Raducanu replied: “I can’t hear anything. Because the music is really loud.”
The umpire was unsympathetic to her cause, continuing her admonishment: “Then he needs to speak louder. You cannot actively approach him and he cannot leave his position. He needs to stay where he is and you cannot actively go towards him. You cannot actively go at the end of the game especially.”
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
The conversation was concluded with an apology from the player: “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise.”
Despite her win, Sabalenka’s thoughts on having to face Raducanu pre-match remain interesting, and outline how highly she rates the 22-year-old.
Tennis fans react to Francisco Roig’s constant coaching of Emma Raducanu
One of the main takeaways that fans have noticed from this clash with Aryna Sabalenka is just how vocal Roig was, with a microphone tactically placed within his vicinity.
At every opportunity, the Sky Sports coverage delighted in revealing his mid-match advice to Raducanu, almost dictating her every move with regular instructions.
Most were stunned by how regular their interactions were, as one fan wrote on X: “Raducanu getting a warning from the chair umpire about coaching from the sidelines. He doesn’t shut up! But it seems to be working so.”
Emma Raducanu and Francisco Roig’s player coach relationship already seems so strong, can only be a good thing for her having him in her corner
— jess (@jessiehxsking) August 11, 2025
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Lovingggg the mic picking up everything Roig is saying. Vamos vamos vamos
— maisie (@maanumsfc) August 11, 2025
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Another fan then added: “Two matches in and I already love Francisco Roig in Emma Raducanu’s team. So positive and constructive, never mind Emma, I’m learning a lot.”
Raducanu coach must be good at reading the match 👀
Said go to the body, she did it and it won✅️
Said go wide, and it won ✅️#CincyTennis
— SiscoEyeballs (@sisco_iT) August 11, 2025
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Already loving the advice Roig is giving Raducanu. Fascinating stuff, and doesn’t just consist of “Vamos!”
— Emma (@emmylobz) August 11, 2025
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It’s already pretty clear to see that Roig favours a hands-on coaching style.