Raducanu takes on Rybakina in New York as Norrie braces for Djokovic in third-round showdown

Emma Raducanu’s journey at this year’s US Open has given her another chance to prove herself against the very best. The British No 1 will meet Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and one of the most formidable servers in the women’s game, in the third round on Friday.

It marks a significant test for Raducanu, who has enjoyed a smooth start to the tournament by dropping only six games across her first two matches. Her wins over Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen were dominant, built on sharp serving and a willingness to step inside the baseline and dictate rallies. Yet both of her opponents were qualifiers outside the world’s top 100. Rybakina, by contrast, represents a leap in calibre.

The Kazakh’s game is defined by relentless power. She leads the WTA Tour in aces, service points won, and service games held. Beyond her serve, her groundstrokes are clean and commanding, capable of neutralising opponents in an instant. Only two weeks ago in Cincinnati, she demolished Aryna Sabalenka, underlining her status as one of the most dangerous players in tennis when in full flow.

Raducanu has experienced Rybakina’s dominance before. In January 2022, during the Sydney International, the Briton was overwhelmed 6-0, 6-1 in their first encounter. That match reflected much of Raducanu’s early struggles after her US Open triumph in 2021: inconsistent fitness, physical setbacks, and difficulty handling elite power.

Now, however, Raducanu arrives in New York in a more stable position. She has hired Francisco Roig as her coach with the specific aim of improving her resilience against the heaviest hitters. Though defeats to Sabalenka at Wimbledon and Cincinnati showed there is work to be done, Raducanu insists she is closing the gap.

“I do want to see how my game suits and fits against the top,” she said. “I still think I have a long way to go, but I think I have been making steps towards getting closer and narrowing that gap. I have to take confidence from my matches against Aryna in Cincy and Wimby.”

As Raducanu prepares for Rybakina, Cameron Norrie faces an equally daunting assignment. The British No 2 takes on Novak Djokovic for the seventh time in his career. Norrie has lost all six previous encounters, managing just two sets in total.

Djokovic, 38, has shown signs of vulnerability since Wimbledon, where he chose to step away from competition to spend time with his family. His early rounds in New York were laboured, as he struggled with both his physical sharpness and the long exchanges forced on him by teenagers Learner Tien and Zachary Svajda.

Norrie, who thrives in attritional battles, hopes to exploit those weaknesses. He comes into the match after a hard-fought four-hour win over Francisco Comesaña, which he closed out with composure and stamina. His preparation included an intense training block in the Texas heat, designed to sharpen his endurance.

Still, Norrie knows the challenge that awaits. “The level he brings, the competitiveness he brings is crazy,” he admitted. “Every time I’ve played him, he’s changing his tactics and making it really difficult for me to play. He’s amazing. So I’m going to have to be ready for anything.”

The British pair now face pivotal moments in their tournaments. For Raducanu, Rybakina offers the perfect measuring stick for her recent improvements. For Norrie, Djokovic presents the ultimate benchmark of consistency and tactical mastery.

In New York, both players must deliver their very best if they are to extend their runs. Whether testing themselves against a power hitter or a legend, Raducanu and Norrie now face the toughest examinations of their summers