Serena Williams vs Emma Raducanu: Everything to know about Cincinnati clash

The soon-to-retire Serena Williams has drawn British number one Emma Raducanu as her next opponent ahead of what will likely be her farewell tournament at the US Open next month.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion announced she will be “evolving away” from tennis earlier this week in an emotional write up for Vogue.

Williams and Raducanu are set to face each other at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.

The two stars have never played each other before, so this meeting is going to be a must-match for fans and neutrals alike.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the blockbuster match-up.

Williams and Raducanu will face off in the first round of the Western and Southern Open.

The event — also known as the Cincinnati Masters — is played on a hardcourt surface and is held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Ohio, USA.

The Western and Southern Open is the final WTA 1000 event before the US Open and is regarded as the warm-up tournament before players prepare to compete at the fourth Grand Slam of the calendar year.

Williams and Raducanu will face off on Monday, August 15th 2022.

The winner of the first round clash will take on either Kaia Kanepi or Victoria Azarenka in the next stage.

Williams has won the Cincinnati Masters on two occasions during her decorated career. She reached the final for the first time in 2013 before winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.

Raducanu, whose WTA Tour debut came just 14 months ago, has never played at the tournament before and will enjoy her Western and Southern debut against the legendary Williams.

On paper, Williams looks the favourite to progress into the second round due to her experience at Cincinnati. However, with Raducanu preparing to defend her US Open