Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is set to return to New York this month.
Emma Raducanu demonstrated a strong start with her new coach at the Cincinnati Open, decisively defeating Olga Danilovic.
The British number one has enlisted Rafael Nadal’s former coach, Francis Roig, on a full-time basis as she prepares for the upcoming US Open.
The 2021 US Open surprise champion secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory in her first match since Roig’s appointment.
Danilovic previously defeated British number three Katie Boulter in the first round, while Raducanu received a bye. The Serbian number one initiated Saturday’s match by breaking Raducanu to love in the opening game.
Following four service breaks between the pair in the initial five games, Raducanu rallied from 30-0 to secure another break, leading 5-3.
Raducanu, 22, then claimed seven consecutive points, reaching three set points and converting the first with an ace.
In the second set, Raducanu capitalized on errors from her 24-year-old opponent, ultimately securing a break for a 3-2 lead.
From that juncture, the world number 39, ranked four places above Danilovic, maintained control, clinching her spot in the third round in Ohio without conceding another game.
Raducanu is participating in the WTA 1,000 event for the first time since 2022 and may potentially face world number one Aryna Sabalenka, against whom she experienced a close defeat at Wimbledon last month.
Earlier, Poland’s Iga Swiatek advanced to the last 32 with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 victory over Russian Anastasia Potapova, the reigning Wimbledon champion.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys of the United States saved two match points before overcoming Germany’s Eva Lys 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).
Raducanu had been without a permanent coach since January.
In the Cincinnati ATP draw, Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan was outmatched by Italy’s world number one Jannik Sinner, who prevailed 6-1, 6-1 in his first match since securing his maiden Wimbledon title.
However, eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti from Italy was defeated by Benjamin Bonzi, with the Frenchman, ranked 63rd globally, rallying to win 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Another Frenchman orchestrated an upset, as 70th-ranked Arthur Rinderknech triumphed over Norway’s Casper Ruud, the 11th seed, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2.
The final Grand Slam of the season commences at Flushing Meadows, New York, on 24 August.
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