Raducanu got here into the New York encounter towards Rybakina using a wave of optimism.
A productive season, the place she has spent extra time on court docket and appeared more and more resilient, has put her on the verge of climbing again into the world’s prime 30.
Raducanu’s rating has not been increased since September 2022 – when her mountain of factors for profitable the US Open fell off.
However she fell simply in need of incomes a seeding at Flushing Meadows, which left her open to going through a highly-ranked participant early within the draw.
“I’ve misplaced to Iga twice, Aryna, and Elena, so it is robust,” Raducanu stated.
“However on the similar time, that is the place I am at with my rating. I can play prime opponents within the first, second, or third spherical.
“So I’ve simply acquired to do my greatest within the subsequent few months till Australia to simply hold working to attempt to shut the hole.”
Twice pushing Sabalenka – taking her to a few units in Cincinnati lower than a month after their Wimbledon assembly – had been additional indicators of encouragement.
Nonetheless, the chastening defeat by world quantity 9 Rybakina, who hit the Briton off court docket with a flurry of excoriating winners, was a reminder of how she nonetheless wants to enhance.
It meant Raducanu has now received simply three of her 18 profession matches towards top-10 opponents.
“Relying on the day, relying on how we match up, I feel I am getting higher total,” she stated.
“I feel I am enhancing for certain in the previous few months. I simply have to hold constant and put this one behind.”
