Emma Raducanu says 'people will talk regardless' after hammering Victoria Azarenka in ominous sign ahead of US Open

Emma Raducanu made it back-to-back defeats of former world number ones with a stunning victory over Victoria Azarenka at the Cincinnati Open. Raducanu saw off the legendary Serena Williams on Tuesday before this latest match in Ohio against two-time major champion Azarenka, and she was in similarly brutal form, demolishing the Belarussian for the loss of just two games in a little over an hour.

Ad Raducanu, who will face home hope Jessica Pegula in the last 16, has been questioned throughout the last year since winning the US Open, as she has battled injury, coaching changes and a loss of form. WTA Cincinnati‘A true honour’ – Raducanu beats Williams in Cincinnati12 HOURS AGO But speaking on court afterwards, she said she has come to take those criticisms with a pinch of salt.

Raducanu said: «I think I've realised in the last year that people are going to talk regardless of what you do. »Things that I do are maybe more amplified because of my situation.

'I felt tight' — Norrie edges all-British battle for first-ever win over ailing Murray Gauff soothes US Open injury fears: 'I promise I'm OK!' «But I've just learned to zone in internally. »I didn't really show any emotion [in her two matches in the tournament], I didn't let myself get high or low, I was just one level and I think that helped.

«I was playing a great match for sure. I had to stay focussed throughout and I was really pleased with how I dug in.» After the near-three hour slugfest between Cameron Norrie and Andy Murray that had gone before, it was all change in the first set on Center Court as Raducanu stormed out of the blocks, picking up where she left off against Williams by racking up back-to-back bagels in the tournament, both against former champions of