“Every time she is improving and I can see she is getting back to her best.
“I’m enjoying fighting against her – she is such an incredible player.”
Raducanu could be seeded among the leading 32 players at the upcoming US Open, providing a more favourable draw – in theory at least – at the hard-court Grand Slam which she won as a teenage qualifier in 2021.
On the basis of this display against Sabalenka, there are plenty of positives for Raducanu to take going into the final major of the season.
With her service game providing a strong foundation, backed by regularly playing with calmness and clarity from the baseline, a tense contest in a sweltering Cincinnati could easily have gone her way.
Sabalenka was well below her best level throughout, with the powerful baseline game which has delivered three major titles looking vulnerable and erratic.
Raducanu, who was guided vocally throughout by her new coach Francisco Roig, took full advantage.
In the past Raducanu has wilted in these intense battles and draining conditions.
The manner in which she survived four break points during a marathon eighth game in the decider – coming through 12 deuces to hold serve after 22 minutes – was a fine example of an improved mentality in recent months.
Sabalenka, though, has a formidable record in tie-breaks and showed why by holding her nerve in the match-defining moments.
Despite the clear positives, Raducanu’s defeat means she has still only won three of her 17 matches against top-10 players and never beaten an opponent ranked in the world’s top four.
She will be hoping that will change sooner rather than later – perhaps in New York.
