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Britain's Emma Raducanu fell agonisingly short of beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka and earning a statement win at the Cincinnati Open.

Raducanu, 22, lost 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) as defending champion Sabalenka edged a battle lasting more than three hours to reach the fourth round.

Having also pushed Sabalenka at Wimbledon, Raducanu's performance was further evidence that she can severely test the world's very best as her revival continues.

This season, with the British number one's fitness issues largely behind her and the development of a new-found resilience, she has climbed back into the world's top 40.