Elena Rybakina may have annihilated Emma Raducanu in their lone meeting, but the 2022 Wimbledon champion acknowledges she isn’t thinking too much about it ahead of their second meeting at the US Open simply because the Briton is a past champion and knows what it takes to win the biggest matches at Flushing Meadows.
Early on Wednesday, Raducanu – who is ranked at No. 35 in the world and just missed out on a US Open seeding – demolished rising Indonesian star Janice Tjen 6-2 6-1 to reach the third round, in the previous round, the Briton also dismantled Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2.
Several hours after Raducanu beat Tjen, Rybakina hit the court for her second round match. And while the Kazakh also triumphed against Tereza Valentová 6-3 7-6 (9), it was a very tough day for the No. 9 seed at work, since she was down by a break in the first set and also 2-5 down in the second set, before stunningly saving four set points to avoid going into a decider.
Now, Rybakina is set for her second matchup against the 22-year-old. Their first and lone meeting came nearly four years ago, when the Kazakh tennis star ousted the Briton 6-0 6-1 in Sydney in 2021 January.
Rybakina not taking Raducanu for granted ahead of their US Open match
“We played once a long time ago and I think now she’s playing really well and she’s a tough opponent. Definitely, she knows this place better than anyone else. And I’m looking forward for this match. I know that I need to improve a little bit from today and try to do my best and hopefully I’ll win that match,” the Kazakh said of her upcoming US Open match.
Considering how the opening two rounds went, it is safe to say that Raducanu enters the match in better form. But Rybakina is one of the best in the game and will certainly be ready for the match as well.
