As you were. Sabalenka, not adverse to a sluggish start, is back in the groove and holds comfortably to level.

Oh dear, it's so hot that French player Arthur Rinderknech is looking a bit woozy in the heat.

He goes down to the court before getting help from the medics. Fingers crossed he will be OK to continue in his match against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Well, that didn't last long.

A double fault from Raducanu is an ominous start before Sabalenka finds her rhythm and ups the tempo.

An awkward lunging backhand goes into the Raducanu side of the net for the break-back points and Sabalenka needs just one as a deep return cannot be recovered by the Brit.

Back on serve, but not back level yet.

Another whopper from the Raducanu baseline whizzes past Sabalenka. This is wonderfully aggressive from the British number one.

Half a chance becomes a full one when Sabalenka comes forward but can't put away a volley.

Three break points... Raducanu needs just one. Sabalenka has not won a point yet!

Don't make her angry...

A brief hold-up as Raducanu needs a towel to wipe some sweat on the baseline.

It's that kind of heat in Ohio. It's that kind of heat in Manchester today to be fair.

Talking of scorching, Raducanu obliterates a forehand on Sabalenka's opening serve. Clean return winner!

Ooof! A splendid start from Emma Raducanu.

Big first serves and aggressive groundstrokes leave Sabalenka barely able to get strings on the ball.

A hold to love in about two minutes.

The warm-up is done. Let's get down to business.

Emma Raducanu serves first as she looks to earn her maiden career win over Aryna Sabalenka.

Play!

*denotes next server

Image source, Getty Images

Meet the latest person to jump on to the Raducanu coaching carousal.

Tennis aficionados will know his face. It's Francisco Roig - a Spaniard who was a key part of Rafael Nadal's coaching team throughout the majority of the GOAT candidate's trophy-laden career.

Raducanu has been looking for a full-time coach since Nick Cavaday stepping back from the role in January because of health issues, with trusted allies Mark Petchey and Jane O'Donoghue filling the void in the meantime.

Last week Roig was unveiled as the man she has turned to. The pair had a trial run after Wimbledon and have decided to work together until the end of the season at least.

Image source, Getty Images

Beating Sabalenka would be a heck of statement win for Raducanu - if she can pull off what would be an almighty shock.

The British number one has climbed back into the world's top 40, but will have to be bang on it - mentally and physically - to win their Cincinnati third-round match today.

Sabalenka is the WTA's dominant player and is particularly a real force on hard courts.

Seventeen of her 20 tour titles have come on the acrylic, including this very tournament - a WTA 1000 event - last year.

To be the best you have to beat the best, right?

Can't remember last week, never mind last month?

This is the full lowdown of what happened when Raducanu met Sabalenka on the hallowed Centre Court grass.

The short version is Raducanu the three-time Grand Slam champion under extreme pressure before succumbing to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat.

Oooh, are these mind games? Probably not but we like a bit of spice.

Emma Raducanu is left stood waiting in the tunnel while Aryna Sabalenka still limbers up in the gym.

Someone give her a shout. Ah, they have.

The pair walk out into what looks like a stuffy early afternoon in Cincy.

A young fan waves a cuddly tiger at Sabalenka. I really wish the Belarusian - who has adopted the big cat as her moniker - walked out to Eye of the Tiger. Alas, she doesn't.

Hello! It's been a minute, right? Wimbledon feels like a distant memory.

Long gone and consigned to the past with the 100 men versus one gorilla memes and Oasis-inspired bucket hats.

Luckily I'm here to remind you that Emma Raducanu played rather well in SW19, pushing world number one Sabalenka close in what would have been a stunner of an upset.

But the plucky Brit - please allow me to indulge in our favourite description just this once - fell short.

Unlike Eminem she does not have just one shot though. Oh no. Little over a month later, Raducanu can lose herself in the tennis, the moment. Can she own it and never let it go?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The million dollar question lingers unanswered.

Just how good is Emma Raducanu really?

We know she's good enough to win a Grand Slam title. Remember? How could you forget.

The 22-year-old Brit has got nowhere near the heights of that 2021 US Open fairytale since, though, due to the physical and mental tolls which followed.

But there have been shoots of encouragement this year and she has plenty of time to get to the very top again.

Even world number one Aryna Sabalenka - her opponent today - said so...