Aryna Sabalenka is into the round of 16 at the Cincinnati Open after surviving a thrilling battle against Emma Raducanu.
Sabalenka made WTA history against Raducanu, winning their Cincinnati Open clash 7-6(7-3), 4-6, 7-6(7-5).
World number one Sabalenka is the top seed at the WTA 1000 tournament, and now takes on Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
The third round thriller lasted for more than three hours, with 30th seed Raducanu eventually overcome by the three-time Grand Slam champion in the Cincinnati heat.
British number one Raducanu was working with new coach Francisco Roig, who was vocal throughout the entire match as the player fell just short of a memorable win.
Aryna Sabalenka explains how she beat Emma Raducanu at the Cincinnati Open
Meanwhile, Sabalenka is doing work around the net with new coach Max Mirnyi behind the scenes, which she put to use against Raducanu.
She told Tennis Channel after the match: “I think I was brave enough to come to the net and go first and go for some risky shots, which I have been working on in the last couple of weeks.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu told the one big mistake she made which cost her the match against Aryna Sabalenka
“Max is very happy with my volleys. I mean he’s happy but at the same time he’s like, that is too risky! I was pretty happy with those shots but I think I just went for quite brave decisions and I think that’s why I got the win.”
Aryna Sabalenka left in shock despite beating Emma Raducanu in Cincinnati
Sabalenka is out to defend her title at the Cincinnati Open, and she is looking very difficult to stop at this moment in time.
Raducanu certainly scared the world number one, but she used all of her experience and ability to grind out the victory.
Sabalenka was, however, finding the heat very difficult to deal with in Cincinnati, as she explained post-match.
The Belarusian star noted: “The whole time I was like this is what they call ageing, this is how it is to feel old.
“I looked at Emma and she was there ready to play the next point and I was there still trying to recover my breath.
“I was like what’s going on. I could not believe I am getting old. I looked at Jason and he didn’t say anything but we need to do something because I am getting old.”
Another tricky test is now in store for the top seed against Maneiro, who is enjoying a famous run at the event.
The Spaniard knocked out legendary figure Venus Williams in round one before impressive wins over Leylah Fernandez and Taylor Townsend.
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