Laura Robson believes Emma Raducanu’s downfall at the US Open came down to poor tactical commitment, after the Briton was ruthlessly dismantled 6-1, 6-2 by Elena Rybakina in just over an hour.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former British No 1 praised Rybakina’s composure but pointed out Raducanu’s failure to adapt in the face of sustained pressure.

“Rybakina has played a great match there,” Robson said.

“In terms of her groundstrokes, she was playing so freely, going for her shots. She was never rushed, that was the big thing that stood out.

Emma Raducanu exited the US Open on Friday as her hopes of Grand Slam glory ended in disaster

“Raducanu wasn’t committed tactically.

"At times it looked like she was trying to hit big, but then the next point she’d take half a step back.

"It gave Rybakina this easy rhythm to work with, and she was just able to put so much pressure on Raducanu.”

The defeat underlined the gulf between Raducanu and the very best players in the women’s game, despite signs in recent weeks that the 21-year-old was narrowing that gap.

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Her performances against Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon and in Cincinnati suggested progress, but Rybakina’s dominance in New York showed just how much work remains.

Raducanu admitted afterwards that she struggled to find any foothold in the contest.

“That match was very difficult. I never really got a chance to settle or feel any rhythm,” she said.

“I just felt that there were so few balls in play that when one was in play, I felt too much pressure to do something.

Laura Robson believes Emma Raducanu’s downfall at the US Open came down to poor tactical commitment, after the Briton was ruthlessly dismantled 6-1, 6-2 by Elena Rybakina in just over an hour

"A lot of work to do – especially against the top players – but overall, I’m heading in the right direction.”

The British No 1 suggested that Rybakina’s game posed a unique challenge compared with other top seeds she has faced.

“I think it’s going to be important to just look at the last few months as a whole and the improvements that I’m making, because a match like that can easily get you down if you let it," she added.

"So I’m going to try and not do that and regroup and just work hard and get ready for Asia.”

Raducanu has suffered recent defeats to world No 1 Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka as well, a reflection of her current ranking which regularly pits her against elite opposition early in tournaments.

“I’ve lost to Iga, Aryna, and Elena, so it’s tough,” she said.

“But that’s where I’m at with my ranking.

"I can play top opponents in the first, second, or third round. I just need to keep consistent and put this one behind me.”

Emma Raducanu won just three games against Elena Rybakina during her US Open exit

Looking ahead, Raducanu is targeting the upcoming Asian swing as an opportunity to build momentum.

With few ranking points to defend between now and the end of 2025, she has set her sights on breaking into the world’s top 10. 4 paragraphs