Raducanu’s US Open chances suffer blow with Cincinnati setback

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has suffered a blow to her US Open preparations after failing to get a wildcard into the 2024 Cincinnati Open this week.

As a result, Raducanu will play the final Grand Slam of the year without participating in the two preceding WTA 1000 events.

The former champion is ranked No.69 in the world, with her season again marred by a series of injuries.

However, the 21-year-old did reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon in July, her deepest run at a Grand Slam since winning the US Open in 2021.

Why Raducanu missed Cincinnati Open invitation

Raducanu began her season on hard courts early after an impressive Wimbledon performance.

She passed through first two rounds of the Washington Open before losing in three sets in the quarter-finals against Paula Badosa.

Despite this success, organisers of the Canadian Open did not elect to award her a wildcard.

Now, the Cincinnati Open has taken the same route, choosing to favour local players instead.

Until recently, there was still hope that Raducanu would be able to play in Cincinnati, with the Brit having the option to sign up for qualifying or receive a last-minute entry into the main draw.

These hopes were dashed over the weekend when it was confirmed that she had neither gained entry to the main draw nor signed up for qualifying.

Raducanu will now head to New York having not played in more than two weeks.

Raducanu a long shot in US Open odds

Tennis bookmakers have Raducanu at +3300 to repeat her 2021 heroics and win the US Open in September.

Defending champion Coco Gauff, who last year became the third teenage American to win the US Open, is priced at +850 to win her second Grand Slam.

However, it is 2022 champion Iga Swiatek and 2023 runner-up Aryna Sabalenka who lead the betting at +300 apiece with Bovada.

Rounding out the main contenders in the US Open odds, world No.4 Elena Rybakina comes in at +700.

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