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Emma Raducanu’s 2025 Cincinnati Open campaign has come to an end as she lost in three sets against world No 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, but how much money and points did she earn for her run?

Playing at the Ohio WTA 1000 event for only the second time following her debut in 2022, Raducanu was seeded 30th and it meant she had a bye into the second round.

She started with a straight-set win over Olga Danilovic, but that seeding didn’t give her much of a boost as she then faced top seed Sabalenka in the round of 32 on Monday.

Sabalenka won the first two encounters against the British No 1 and she extended her head-to-head lead to 3-0 with a 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) win in an excellent contest that lasted three hours and 10 minutes as she equalled her third-round result from 2022.

WTA Ranking Points Earned & US Open Seeding

Raducanu – who also lost in the third round of the Canadian Open – started her final US Open warm-up event at No 39 in the WTA Rankings and she moved up five places to No 34 in the Live Rankings following her win over Danilovic.

By reaching the third round, Raducanu picked up 65 points as she increased her ranking points tally to 1426. However, she was unable to pick up additional points following her defeat to Sabalenka.

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She has also dropped one place in the Live Rankings to No 35 with Veronika Kudermetova moving ahead of her while she could still drop further if one or two players behind her enjoy an extended run at the WTA 1000 tournament.

It means Raducanu is unlikely to be among top 32 players at the 2025 US Open with the Cincinnati Open the cutoff event before seedings are confirmed.

Of course, if there are several withdrawals from players ahead of her in the rankings, then she could still be bumped into the top 32 seeds.

Prize Money Earned At Cincinnati Open

Raducanu started the tournament with career prize money earnings of $5,337,073 with $1,068,016 coming 2025 alone.

The 22-year-old has added another $32,840 to her earnings after her run to the third round.

What’s To Come For Raducanu

Raducanu will now switch focus to the 2025 US Open, but a lack of seeding at the season-ending Grand Slam could result in a tough draw as she could face any of the top players in the first round.

She will no doubt hope to avoid the likes of Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek in the opening few rounds at Flushing Meadows.

The post Emma Raducanu’s points and prize money from Cincinnati Open run appeared first on Tennis365.

Legendary coach Rick Macci has proclaimed that Iga Swiatek will “go down as one of the greatest players ever” as he lauded the Pole’s accomplishments.

Swiatek secured her maiden Wimbledon crown and sixth Grand Slam title overall with a demolition of Amanda Anisimova in the title match at the London major last month.

The 24-year-old star is unbeaten in Grand Slam championship matches and has lost just a single set across her six victories.

Currently ranked third in the WTA Rankings behind Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, Swiatek has spent 125 weeks as the world No 1.

Following Swiatek’s Wimbledon win, Macci predicted that Swiatek will reclaim the No 1 ranking by the end of the 2025 season.

The American, who coached tennis icon Serena Williams between 1991 and 1994, also tweeted that Swiatek was “the best player this century”

In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, Macci clarified his stance on Swiatek’s greatness when asked about his previous claim.

“It was kind of misconstrued. Basically what I was saying is, from 2020 through this decade, she’s the most accomplished player,” Macci explained.

“Let’s face it. When we get into 21st century, there’s all kinds of ways to frame that up. But since 2000, Serena’s the GOAT and the best player of all time, and I don’t think anybody is even in the passenger side when you talk about Serena.

“But Iga deserves a lot of credit… simply because, since 2020, she’s been the most dominant player by far. Especially when she gets to the finals [at Grand Slams] — she’s won every time. That 37-match win streak. I mean, go back in time, you don’t see much of that.

“And you also gotta look at, there’s been a lot of ‘bagels’ (6-0 sets). She’s beat people badly. And now people might say, ‘Oh, there’s not as much depth’, and I get all that stuff, but she doesn’t decide who she plays and she doesn’t decide all that.

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“I think whenever you can dominate like that at the highest level, it’s rare air.”

The 70-year-old coach went on to predict how many majors Swiatek will win.

“She will definitely go down as one of the greatest players ever. Iga will be a double digit Grand Slam winner. As long as she has the desire,” Macci continued.

“And remember, she’s only 24. And let’s face it, the women’s game is a little fluid. Even though [Aryna] Sabalenka has more firepower and Coco [Gauff]’s the Olympic sprinter.

“This thing’s fluid, there’s no one that’s really been there and done that. There’s a lot of people that make a cameo, they win a Slam and go in an out.

“It’s fluid, but I have no doubt whatsoever (about Swiatek) because, to me, she’s proven. She has those six Slams in her back pocket and nothing beats proven. And no doubt, double digit Grand Slams are on the horizon.”

As well as Serena and Venus Williams, Macci has coached Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, Andy Roddick, Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.

Swiatek is currently in action at the Cincinnati Open after losing to Clara Tauson in the last 16 at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal.

READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu gets strong verdict on top 10 and Grand Slam hopes from Serena Williams’ ex-coach

The post Iga Swiatek gets bold greatness verdict and Grand Slam prediction from legendary coach appeared first on Tennis365.

Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic has never been afraid to speak his mind, and he made a Grand Slam prediction involving Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal back in 2019.

Ivanisevic started coaching Djokovic in June 2019 and helped the Serbian win nine majors, two ATP Finals crowns and seven Masters titles before the pair parted ways in March 2024.

Djokovic has collected 24 Grand Slam titles (10 Australian Opens, seven Wimbledon titles, four US Opens and three French Opens), which is the all-time men’s singles record. His most recent major win was the 2023 US Open.

Nadal, who called time on his career in November 2024, sits second on the list with 22 Grand Slams (14 French Opens, four US Opens, two Wimbledon titles and two Australian Opens).

Roger Federer, who retired in September 2022, is third in the men’s Grand Slam standings with 20 (eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Opens, five US Opens and one French Open).

In September 2019, Ivanisevic revealed why he felt Djokovic was the best of the Big Three.

“For me, let’s put it this way, if everyone plays their best in 10 matches, I’d say Novak wins at least eight matches. He’s the most complete player of the three,” Ivanisevic was quoted as saying by Tennis World ES.

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At the time Ivanisevic was speaking, Djokovic had won 16 Grand Slams, while Nadal had just secured his 19th major at the 2019 US Open.

The Croatian backed both Djokovic and Nadal to win over 20 majors — a prediction that has aged well.

“Rafa will definitely win a few more Roland Garros and will surely surpass 20. Novak will surpass 20,” Ivanisevic declared.

On Federer, Ivanisevic added: “Roger, you can’t underestimate him.

“He’ll still be thinking about Wimbledon (the 2019 final, where Federer had two championship points against Djokovic), when people were already saying he was (on) 21 (Grand Slams).

“That hurts, but Roger will definitely be hoping for another one.”

After Ivanisevic’s words, Nadal won the French Open in 2020 and 2022, as well as securing his second Australian Open crown in 2022.

Djokovic, meanwhile, has since won three Australian Open titles (2020, 2021 an 2023), two French Open titles (2021 and 2023), two Wimbledon titles (2021 and 2022) and one US Open title (2023).

The 38-year-old Serb will aim to become the oldest major singles champion in history at the 2025 US Open.

READ NEXT: ‘That man destroyed a lot of my life’ – Novak Djokovic’s former coach ‘can’t forgive’ one rival

The post Goran Ivanisevic’s prediction about Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2019 that came true appeared first on Tennis365.

The US Open is less than two weeks away, with the final Grand Slam tournament of 2025 set to provide a thrilling fortnight of action in New York.

The seedings for the men’s singles event are not official yet, but things are starting to take shape amid the start of the Cincinnati Open.

Here, we look at what we know so far, and what to watch out for across the rest of the tournament.

What do we know?

While there is plenty of potential change lower down in the rankings, the status of the top two seeds is secure.

Defending US Open champion and world No 1 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed, with world No 2 and 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz the second seed.

Alcaraz cannot rival Sinner’s No 1 ranking in Cincinnati, though the Spaniard himself holds a comfortable cushion as the world No 2 over Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz.

World No 3 Zverev and No 4 Fritz will round up the top four seeds, though Fritz could move up to the No 3 position with a strong run in Cincinnati – coupled with an early Zverev exit.

What else to look out for?

The 5-7 seeds are set to be Jack Draper, Novak Djokovic, and Ben Shelton, though there could be some movement between the three.

Shelton and Djokovic are level on points in the Live Rankings, though, with Djokovic absent, Shelton needs just one more match win to remain at his current actual ranking of world No 6.

With Draper also absent from the Masters 1000 event, the American could move to a new career high of world No 5 – and be the fifth seed at the US Open – with a run to the semi-final.

Alex de Minaur is currently eighth in the live and actual ATP Rankings, though the Australian’s early exit in Cincinnati leaves him susceptible to being pushed out of the top eight.

World 12 Karen Khachanov is up to 10th in the ATP Live Rankings, with Holger Rune currently down to 12th – with his Cincinnati Open semi-final points from last year dropping off as things stand.

Former US Open semi-finalist Khachanov may be best placed to threaten de Minaur’s position, with world No 9 Lorenzo Musetti already out.

Lower down the seedings, Frances Tiafoe faces an uphill task to be a top 16 seed at the event.

The American was a finalist in Cincinnati last summer and, with last year’s points off, is down to 17th in the ATP Live Rankings as things stand.

The withdrawal of world No 21 Grigor Dimitrov means the world No 33 will be seeded in New York; in the live rankings, that is currently Canadian star Gabriel Diallo.

However, the margins in this area of the ATP Rankings are incredibly fine, meaning that there could be plenty of changes over the next few days.

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US Open projected seedings (based on Live ATP Rankings, August 11, 2025)

1) Jannik Sinner
2) Carlos Alcaraz
3) Alexander Zverev
4) Taylor Fritz
5) Jack Draper
6) Novak Djokovic
7) Ben Shelton
8) Alex de Minaur
9) Lorenzo Musetti
10) Karen Khachanov
11) Casper Ruud
12) Holger Rune
13) Daniil Medvedev
14) Tommy Paul
15) Andrey Rublev
16) Jakub Mensik
17) Frances Tiafoe
18) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
19) Francisco Cerundolo
20) Arthur Fils
21) Tomas Machac
22) Ugo Humbert
23) Jiri Lehecka
24) Alexander Bublik
25) Flavio Cobolli
26) Felix Auger-Aliassime
27) Stefanos Tsitsipas
28) Denis Shapovalov
29) Alex Michelsen
30) Tallon Griekspoor
31) Brandon Nakashima
32) Gabriel Diallo

Next in (Live Rankings)

34) Luciano Darderi
35) Lorenzo Sonego
36) Alexei Popyrin
37) Cameron Norrie

Read Next: 2025 US Open projected seedings: Will Victoria Mboko, Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu make the cut?

The post 2025 US Open projected seedings: Sinner & Alcaraz top 2, where will Djokovic place? appeared first on Tennis365.

Alexander Zverev has claimed there has been a significant change to the court speed at the Cincinnati Open.

The world No 3 started his campaign in Mason, Ohio with a 6-3, 6-3 win against 109th-ranked American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.

Zverev had to contend with a short turnaround to appear in Cincinnati after he reached the last four at the Canadian Open in Toronto. The Canadian Open concluded on the same day the Cincinnati Open started.

The 28-year-old German is seeking his second title at the Masters tournament in Cincinnati after his 2021 triumph, while he was a semi-finalist in both 2023 and 2024.

The hard courts of the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati have long been measured as some of the fastest courts on the ATP Tour.

Zverev, however, has declared that the surface used in Cincinnati is now a lot slower than it used to be.

“Cincinnati was a very fast tournament in the past, but it’s become extremely slow now,” he said in a press conference at this year’s event.

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“I’m not sure what the reason behind this choice is, especially since in New York the courts will be very fast again.

“I’m not a huge fan of this surface. I just hope to play good tennis and get as far as possible.”

After his win over Basavareddy, Zverev said: “I requested [a night match], coming from Toronto, where it’s a lot colder, I need some days getting used to the heat and conditions. I’m happy with the win and happy with how I played.”

Zverev also made a big statement about court speed in Cincinnati last year

During the 2024 Cincinnati Masters, Zverev made an interesting claim when asked if he feels more comfortable on faster courts.

“Yeah, I mean I’m playing [with] an old school racket still, I’m playing [with] quite a heavy tennis racket still,” he told Tennis Channel.

“I mean, some of the young guys don’t do that anymore so they swing a lot faster than me. But when the ball comes with pace, I think a heavier racket helps you, so that’s maybe part of the reason. Some obviously racket things there.

“I mean look, I’m still from the generation from ten years ago, or from five, six years ago, when we had some very fast hard courts, especially when Roger was still around.

“And obviously, tournaments liked him to go deep, so they were making some very, very fast courts.

“So I’m used to it a little bit maybe more than some of the younger generation, but I mean, still some adjustments to be made.”

READ NEXT: How Novak Djokovic fared at the US Open the previous times he missed Cincinnati

The post Alexander Zverev reveals he is ‘not a huge fan’ of one key Cincinnati Open change appeared first on Tennis365.

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ career has hit a significant crossroads in 2025, with the Greek star appearing to be a shadow of his former self.

The ATP Tour star’s relationship with his parents, Apostolos Tsitsipas and Julia Salnikova, has been more scrutinised than ever recently, but who exactly are the two figures?

We look at the influence Tsitsipas’ parents have had on his life and his career – and why they have attracted controversy at times.

Who are Apostolos Tsitsipas and Julia Salnikova?

The life and relationship of Tsitsipas’ mother and father has been defined by tennis; without the sport, the two would never have met.

Apostolos, born in 1967, played football and basketball as a child and young adult and briefly considered a professional football career, though he switched his full focus to tennis aged 20.

Studying sports science at the University of Athens, he never achieved an ATP Tour ranking, though he remained involved with the sport.

It was while he was a line judge at a WTA Tour event in Athens that he first met Salnikova, who was in the tournament as a player; the two would marry in 1991.

Half Russian and half Greek, Salnikova – the daughter of Russian football legend Sergei Salnikov – was born in 1964 and, after competing as a diver as a child, later switched to tennis.

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Salnikova represented the Soviet Union multiple times in Fed Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup) action across the early 1980s, making her debut when she was just 15 years old in 1980.

She spent most of the decade absent from tour while studying journalism at Moscow State University, though she returned to action as a Greek citizen in 1990.

Salnikova reached a career-high of world No 194 that year, and played on the WTA Tour until 1992.

Together, Apostolos and Julia have four children: Stefanos (born 1998), Petros (2000), Pavlos (2005), and Elisavet (2008).

Coaching career and controversy

Considering their own interest in the sport, it comes as no surprise that all four Tsitsipas children have played the sport.

They introduced Stefanos to tennis at the age of three, and Apostolos left his career as a tennis instructor and high school teacher when his oldest son began to make serious inroads as a junior aged 12.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has gone on to become by far and away the most successful Greek tennis player of all time, reaching a career-high ranking of world No 3 in August 2021.

The Greek has won 12 ATP Tour titles, including three Masters 1000 crowns in Monte Carlo, and has reached two Grand Slam finals.

He was beaten in the 2021 French Open final by Novak Djokovic, before again losing to the Serbian at the 2023 Australian Open.

Apostolos has remained his son’s primary coach throughout most of his career, but the influence of both himself and Salnikova has attracted criticism in recent years.

Tsitsipas has not come close to reaching a third Grand Slam final since his runner-up finish in Melbourne two years ago, and has fallen out of the top 20 for the first time since 2018.

A handful of high-profile stars have been critical of Apostolos and Julia’s approach in recent years, including former world No 1’s Jim Courier and Mats Wilander.

Courier previously claimed that their frequent input during matches was “hurting [Tsitsipas] more than it’s helping,” while Wilander claimed that Apostolos “needs to get out of there” during a match at the 2022 Australian Open.

Tensions between the two began to flare more and more often during matches, resulting in a dramatic outburst from the Greek at the Canadian Open back in 2024.

That resulted in Tsitsipas ending his coaching relationship with his father, moving on to working with the Greek Davis Cup captain, Dimitris Chatzinikolaou.

Hopes were high for the two-time Grand Slam finalist when it was announced that he would be working with former world No 2 Goran Ivanisevic, though that partnership quickly fell apart.

Now, despite the tension that previously emerged between the two, father and son are back working together.

The former world No 3 has spoken about wanting a more ‘mature’ relationship with his father on tour, though an early Canadian Open exit was not the best start to their renewed partnership

Tsitsipas snapped a three-match losing streak with victory over Fabian Maroszan in his opening match at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, though there is a sense that there is still a long road to travel if he wants to return to the top.

And, all eyes will be on how his father’s return helps or hinders that process.

Read Next: Exclusive – Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals why he cried as he lived out his ‘biggest dream’

The post Who are Stefanos Tsitsipas’ parents? Coach Apostolos Tsitsipas and Julia Salnikova appeared first on Tennis365.

Ben Shelton kicked off the 2025 North American hard-court swing with a title run at the Canadian Open, which means he is in with a chance of becoming only the fourth man to win the complete the Summer Swing hat-trick by winning the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and US Open.

The American won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title when he defeated Karen Khachanov in the showpiece match in Toronto.

Title runs at the Cincinnati Open and US Open will see Shelton become the fourth person to win the three back-to-back tournaments.

However, Players who win the Canadian Open have struggled at the next event, the Cincinnati Open, in recent years as they often exit the Ohio tournament early, putting an end to their hopes of completing the hat-trick.

The 3 men to win the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and US Open in the same year:

Pat Rafter – 1998

For context, all three tournaments have been part of the ATP calendar since the sport turned professional in 1968, but it would take another 30 years for a player to achieve the feat as Australian Rafter enjoyed an incredible North American hard-court swing nearly three decades ago.

Rafter was no stranger to success in the United States as he won the 1997 US Open, beating Greg Rusedski in the final, but it was the 1998 campaign that was his standout season.

He started the swing with a three-set win over Richard Krajicek in the final of the Canadian Open – his first ATP Masters 1000 title – and completed the double with a 1–6, 7–6 (7–2), 6–4 victory over defending champion Pete Sampras in the Cincinnati Open final.

The double became a hat-trick as he again got the better of Sampras, but this time in the semi-final of the US Open as he won in five sets before going on to successfully defend his crown with a four-set win over Mark Philippoussis in the final in New York.

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Andy Roddick – 2003

Former world No 1 Roddick won his only Grand Slam at the 2003 US Open when he beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final at Flushing Meadows, but the two previous tournaments indicated that he was the man to beat.

The American kicked off his hard-court season in stunning fashion as he beat Roger Federer in the semi-final in Canada and David Nalbandian in the final to lift his maiden ATP Masters title.

That was followed up with the title run at the Cincinnati Open as he came from a set down to defeat compatriot Mardy Fish in the final before claiming the US Open trophy.

Rafael Nadal – 2013

It would take another decade before the two-man list became a three-man club as the great Nadal emulated Rafter and Roddick.

After a shock first-round defeat on the grass at Wimbledon, Nadal turned into a machine on the hard courts as he went unbeaten during the three tournaments.

The Spaniard defeated two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Canadian Open and won the title with a straight-set win over local hero Milos Raonic in the final. At the Cincinnati Open, he had to beat Roger Federer in the quarter-final before going on to beat John Isner in the final.

Nadal then won his second US Open trophy when he beat Djokovic 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 in the final.

The post Will Ben Shelton emulate Rafael Nadal and co with unique North American hat-trick? appeared first on Tennis365.

Jannik Sinner is back at the Cincinnati Open – and has started his campaign in impressive fashion at the Masters 1000 event.

A 59-minute opening-match win over Daniel Elahi Galan on Saturday proved to be the quickest ATP Tour match win of the world No 1’s career to date, cementing his place as the tournament favourite.

The Italian is the reigning champion at the tournament, having beaten Frances Tiafoe in the final last summer, and will fancy his chances of claiming back-to-back titles over the next week.

However, defending the Cincinnati Open title is easier said than done, with only four men having done so in the Open Era.

Here, we look at the exclusive club Sinner will hope to join.

Mats Wilander – 1983-84

A winner of four Cincinnati Open titles, tennis great Wilander was the first man in the Open Era to successfully defend his crown at this event.

The Swede triumphed for the first time in 1983, beating 1981 champion and fellow tennis great John McEnroe in the final, before downing Swedish compatriot Anders Jarryd in 1984.

Wilander was denied a ‘three-peat’ in 1985, falling to Boris Becker in the final, though he would claim further titles in 1986 and 1988.

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Michael Chang – 1993-94

One of an iconic generation of US tennis players, Chang became the second man in the Open Era to successfully defend the title in Cincinnati, exactly a decade on from Wilander.

Former world No 2 Chang battled past Stefan Edberg in three sets to lift his first title in 1993, and then beat the Swede in straight sets to defend his crown in 1994.

Chang would reach further Cincinnati Open finals in 1995 and 1996, though he would finish as the runner-up on both occasions.

Andre Agassi – 1995-96

The man to beat Chang in both the 1995 and 1996 finals was tennis legend Agassi, who joined this exclusive group thanks to consecutive victories over his compatriot.

Top seed Agassi beat fourth seed Chang to lift his first Cincinnati Open title in 1995 before again triumphing in 1996, with both victories coming in straight sets.

The eight-time Grand Slam champion would win a third Cincinnati title eight years later in 2004, holding a perfect 3-0 record in finals at the Masters 1000 event.

Roger Federer – 2009-10, 2014-15

Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Federer won a record seven men’s singles titles at the tournament and is the only man to successfully defend the title on two separate occasions.

Federer first defended his title across 2009-10, beating Novak Djokovic in the 2009 final before a narrow three-set victory over Mardy Fish twelve months later.

The Swiss then won back-to-back titles once again in 2014 and 2015, beating David Ferrer in three sets in the 2014 final before another victory over Djokovic in 2015.

Federer also triumphed in 2005, 2007, and 2012, and finished as the runner-up in 2018.

Read Next: The 5 men to win the most ‘big’ ATP Tour titles: Novak Djokovic with 72, Roger Federer 3rd

The post The 4 men to defend the Cincinnati Open title: Will Jannik Sinner make it 5? appeared first on Tennis365.

Victoria Mboko’s coach Nathalie Tauziat has backed her player’s US Open chances as she discussed the Canadian’s decision to pull out of the Cincinnati Open.

Teen star Mboko stunned the tennis world with her epic Canadian Open triumph this past week, rallying from a set down to beat Naomi Osaka in the final.

Ranked 85th in the world coming into her home event, having needed a wildcard to enter the draw, the 18-year-old has now surged up to a staggering new career-high of world No 24.

That is more than enough for Mboko to be seeded at the US Open towards the end of August, in what will be her third Grand Slam appearance.

The Canadian came through qualifying to make her Grand Slam debut at the French Open, reaching round three, before making the second round of Wimbledon as a lucky loser.

Mboko beat four Grand Slam champions, including Osaka, to triumph in Montreal, though she will not play between her win and her maiden US Open main-draw appearance.

The Canadian was initially given a special exemption into the second round of the Cincinnati Open, the second of two back-to-back hard-court WTA 1000 events held on North American hard courts.

However, having nursed a wrist injury towards the end of her successful Montreal campaign, Mboko ultimately withdrew from the tournament in Ohio.

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Mboko’s career is currently being guided by the hugely experienced Tauziat, a former world No 3 and runner-up at Wimbledon in 1998.

Having previously worked with Canadian stars such as Eugenie Bouchard, Leylah Fernandez, and Bianca Andreescu, Tauziat has a wealth of knowledge to bring to Mboko’s burgeoning career.

And the Frenchwoman has now revealed that holding the long-term goal of the US Open was key to the teen star’s decision to ultimately not head to Cincinnati, and instead rest.

“After Roland Garros, when we defined the schedule up to the US Open, we set some goals,” said Tauziat.

“Based on the way she’s playing, we know she’s capable of doing something big in New York. We want to focus 100% on that tournament, arriving well prepared and injury-free.

“After Montreal, it was vital to manage the schedule well, which is why we’re not going to Cincinnati.”

Mboko has never contested a senior match in New York but contested the girls’ singles event as a junior back in 2022.

The Canadian progressed all the way to the last four, before falling to eventual champion – and fellow 2025 breakout star – Alex Eala.

With Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa already out of the US Open, Mboko is currently projected to be the 22nd seed at the US Open, though her ranking could change depending on results in Cincinnati this week.

Read Next: 2025 US Open projected seedings: Will Victoria Mboko, Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu make the cut?

The post Victoria Mboko’s coach explains Cincinnati Open decision as she sends out US Open warning appeared first on Tennis365.

Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka have both spoken out ahead of the blockbuster Cincinnati Open clash on Monday.

World No 39 Raducanu and world No 1 Sabalenka will do battle at the WTA 1000 event in third-round action this week, facing on court for the third time.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka has prevailed in both their previous meetings, defeating Raducanu in Indian Wells in 2024, before battling past the Brit at Wimbledon just last month.

The competitive nature of their third-round Wimbledon clash in July came as a surprise to most, with many impressed by just how well Raducanu had played.

Despite defeat, the 22-year-old took heart from her performance and, speaking to Tennis Channel this week, reflected on what she described as one of her “favourite” matches.

“It was incredible,” said Raducanu.

“I think it was my favourite match to be a part of in terms of atmosphere, it was electric, I’ve never felt anything like it.

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“With the roof closed, especially, everything was amplified, and the home support was incredible. And I had chances in that match, which was for me a great thing, because I took a lot of confidence; I was on the right track.

“I think obviously grass is a different surface to here, it plays completely different, but to push the world No 1 to such great lengths, it did give me a lot of confidence.

“Just the atmosphere, I think overall, is something I will never forget, and that’s the reason I play tennis, to play in stadiums like that and crowds like that and just to be part of matches that are so competitive.”

World No 1 Sabalenka again enters this match as the favourite, with the 27-year-old looking to successfully defend the Cincinnati Open title she won twelve months ago.

Despite not yet winning a Grand Slam title in 2025, the Belarusian has been the form player of the season, sitting No 1 in the WTA Race to Riyadh and with the joint-most titles won (three) and most finals reached (seven) in 2025.

Sabalenka has been handed a tough projected draw in Cincinnati, though she started her campaign with a confident 7-5, 6-1 triumph over another Grand Slam champion, Marketa Vondrousova.

And the three-time major winner believes that victory over Vondrousova, who Raducanu previously defeated at SW19 this summer, will prove crucial preparation for her clash against the 2021 US Open champion.

“We had a great battle at Wimbledon,” commented Sabalenka, also speaking on Tennis Channel.

“She [Raducanu] is an amazing player, and she has been playing really well lately. I am super excited to face her on hard courts.

“I don’t remember our match at Indian Wells, but I think now she is playing much better. It’s going to be a challenge, and I love to accept tough challenges.

“So I am super excited to face her. I will definitely have to work really hard for every point. But Marketa tested me really well [on Saturday], so I am ready to fight for each point.”

The match is particularly crucial for Raducanu, who will likely need to stun the world No 1 to boost her chances of sealing a seeding for the US Open, which starts in two weeks.

The 22-year-old is currently the world No 39, putting her five places off the top-32 seeding places once the withdrawals of world No 7 Zheng Qinwen and world No 12 Paula Badosa are factored in.

With Sabalenka over 4,000 points ahead of world No 2 Coco Gauff, she is guaranteed to remain the top seed at the final Grand Slam of 2025 regardless of her Cincinnati result.

Read Next: Cincinnati Open women’s singles predictions: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Gauff search for hard-court form

The post What Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka said ahead of blockbuster Cincinnati Open clash appeared first on Tennis365.