BREAK! Emma Raducanu 1-5 Elena Rybakina*

Anything half a yard short from Raducanu is being gobbled up by Rybakina and the flat power of her strike means the groundstrokes are flashing into Raducanu.

After two big winners, Rybakina’s deep return catches the baseline and Raducanu concedes the break.

Rybakina will serve for the set.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:33

*Emma Raducanu 1-4 Elena Rybakina

When Rybakina is playing like this it really is incredible that she is yet to reach another grand slam final since her Australian Open final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in 2023. She’s yet to advance past the third round of the US Open in three attempts, but this is a phenomenal start.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:29

*Emma Raducanu 1-4 Elena Rybakina

Rybakina is really dominating with the crosscourt forehand to Raducanu’s, really through the sheer weight.

Another mighty one-two punch from Rybakina with the big serve and forehand strike, pinning Raducanu into the corner.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:28

Emma Raducanu 1-3 Elena Rybakina*

Raducanu needs to stay calm and tell herself that there is still plenty of time to get back into this first set.

Importantly, she gets on the board as Rybakina puts a couple of returns long. Raducanu then moves in and puts away a forehand, which is greeted by an enthusiastic cheer from the Armstrong crowd.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:25

*Emma Raducanu 0-3 Elena Rybakina

A scrappier game on serve from Rybakina but she absorbs the Raducanu return to flash another brilliant winner.

Raducanu, a little off balance, then nets on the deep Rybakina ball. A dominant start form the ninth seed.

(Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:21

Emma Raducanu 0-2 Elena Rybakina*

That’s the first time Raducanu has been broken at this year’s US Open.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:18

BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-2 Elena Rybakina*

That was a statement of a game from Rybakina, who out hits Raducanu with that flat punchy strike get the opening break. A ferocious forehand brings up three break points.

Rybakina makes a couple of errors as Raducanu saves the first two. Rybakina then gets a look at a second serve, and although Raducanu makes a scrambling return out wide, Rybakina fires into the opposite corner.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:17

*Emma Raducanu 0-1 Elena Rybakina

Raducanu’s own serve was firing wonderfully in the second round against Janice Tjen but Rybakina’s first two returns offers a completely different weight of shot, and Raducanu can’t reply.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:14

*Emma Raducanu 0-1 Elena Rybakina

Encouraging to see Raducanu taking a couple of steps forward when facing the Rybakina second serve and looking to take it on.

Rybakina flashes a couple of forehand winers on both sides and then fires the first unreturned serve – there will be many more of them I’m sure.

Raducanu’s bunted return drifts long and Rybakina holds.

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:13

Emma Raducanu 0-0 Elena Rybakina*

Rybakina’s serve is one of the biggest on the WTA – perhaps the biggest in the women’s game – and when it’s firing the former Wimbledon champion can beat anyone in the world.

But she’s not always consistent and Raducanu will be full of belief after arriving full of confidence into this one.

Rybakina will serve first. Let’s go!

Jamie Braidwood29 August 2025 16:10