Raducanu Rolls Past Azarenka, Swiatek Advances, Badosa Upset At Cincinnati Masters

After her big win Tuesday night over Serena Williams, Emma Raducanu kept rolling Wednesday at the Cincinnati Masters crushing Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2 in just over an hour.

The teen who had struggled for so long since her incredible US Open 10-match run, might be finding her form just in time for her New York title defense.

“It was another really difficult match and a tough matchup to play Vika,” Raducanu said. “I knew I had to be really on my game. I didn’t have much time to turn around.

“I’m obviously pleased with how I played today and how I stayed really focused.”

Raducanu, who at one point won 17 straight games going back to the first set against Serena, will now face the dangerous Jessica Pegula.

Iga Swiatek eased into the third round with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Sloane Stephens. It was the world No. 1’s 50th win of 2022.

“I’m pretty happy that I started well, both sets,” Swiatek said. “I had some trouble closing it earlier, but I’m really happy that in those important moments I was able to refocus again.”

Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur stayed alive but barely, holding off upstart Caty McNally 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7). The 20-year-old McNally held match points with Jabeur serving 5-6, 15-40 in the third. McNally had another match point in the breaker.

“Honestly, I’m not playing my best tennis right now,” Jabeur told WTA Insider. “But it’s good to win ugly. I’m glad I did pull it out, fighting a lot and bringing that energy at the end. I needed that. Pretty happy that after two hours and a half I can get the win.

“It’s not easy but I just will hope that my level will rise for the next match because playing Petra, I need more than just fighting.”

In the late night, No. 3 seed Paula Badosa fell to Ajla Tomljanovic 6-7(3), 6-0, 6-2 in a match that ended at nearly 1:30am.

Madison Keys, Petra Kvitova, Elise Mertens and Elena Rybakina all advanced while Simona Halep withdrew from the event due to a thigh injury.

Today’s highlights include Swiatek-Keys, Pegula-Raducanu and Kvitova-Jabeur.

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