In one of the most electrifying matches of the season, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka battled past former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in a nail-biting 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) victory that lasted an astonishing three hours and nine minutes. The contest had everything fans could ask for—thunderous baseline exchanges, gutsy comebacks, and the kind of drama that leaves the crowd breathless until the very last point.
From the very first game, it was clear neither player was willing to give an inch. Sabalenka, known for her relentless power and aggressive style, came out firing, pushing Raducanu deep behind the baseline. But the Brit, cheered on by a vocal crowd, displayed her trademark defensive skills and tactical shot-making to absorb the Belarusian’s pace and turn it into her own offensive opportunities.
The opening set set the tone for the battle ahead. Both women held serve under immense pressure, with Sabalenka producing blistering forehands and Raducanu answering with laser-precise backhands down the line. The set inevitably headed into a tiebreak, where Sabalenka’s experience shone through. Unleashing a series of heavy first serves and commanding forehand winners, she claimed it 7-6(3) after 68 minutes of intense play.
Rather than folding after dropping the opener, Raducanu raised her game in the second set. She began stepping inside the baseline more frequently, taking time away from Sabalenka and forcing the top seed into uncharacteristic errors. At 4-4, the Brit pounced—breaking Sabalenka with a stunning return game that saw her fire two consecutive passing-shot winners. With the crowd roaring, Raducanu coolly served out the set 6-4 to level the match, setting the stage for a decisive third.
If the first two sets were high-level tennis, the third was pure theatre. Sabalenka came out swinging, racing to a 3-0 lead with deep, punishing groundstrokes. But Raducanu, showing the resilience that carried her to her Grand Slam title in 2021, clawed her way back into contention. Both players traded breaks in the middle stages, and as fatigue set in, the rallies grew even more dramatic, each point a test of nerve as much as skill.
At 5-5, the tension was almost unbearable. Sabalenka saved a break point with an ace down the T, while Raducanu fended off match points with fearless winners. Ultimately, the match fittingly came down to a final-set tiebreak. Sabalenka’s raw power proved decisive—two massive forehand returns gave her the mini-break she needed, and she sealed the contest 7-6(5) on her third match point, collapsing to the court in relief and triumph.
Speaking after the match, Sabalenka praised her opponent’s performance:
“Emma played incredible tennis today. She made me fight for every point, and I think the fans got a real show. Matches like this are why we play this sport.”
Raducanu, though disappointed, took plenty of positives from her performance:
“I’m proud of how I fought. It’s tough to lose a match like that, but I’ll take this level and keep building on it.”
For Sabalenka, the win is another testament to her mental and physical endurance, proving once again why she sits atop the women’s game. For Raducanu, it’s a reminder to the tennis world that she remains a dangerous force capable of pushing the very best to their limits.
If every match this season brings even half the drama of this three-hour, nine-minute epic, tennis fans are in for an unforgettable year.