US Open 2025
Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York
Emma Raducanu defeated Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara to claim her first US Open victory since her unforgettable 2021 title triumph.
On the day of the New York hard-court Grand Slam, British tennis champion Raducanu won 6-1, 6-2. In just 62 minutes, Raducanu was able to claim a 6-1, 6 6-2 victory.
It was her quickest Grand Slam main-draw victory to date.
Although there was little guidance or input required, Rafael Nadal’s new coach Francisco Roig, who helped him win 22 major titles, led the vocal support from her courtside box.
It’s my first victory here since 2021, according to Raducanu.
As a teenage qualifier, 22-year-old Raducanu had previously been burdened by her return to the scene where she shocked the world.
In addition to missing the 2023 tournament due to injury, the 2022 and 2024 opponents faced second-round defeats.
She returns to Flushing Meadows this year with improved form and renewed energy.
Due to her extensive injuries over the past four years and the mental strain of such intense attention, Raducanu has only just begun to consider the US Open as her “happy place.”
Raducanu has transformed her body since arriving in New York last weekend, particularly when she competed alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the revamped mixed doubles competition.
She believes she can fulfill her potential on it best by feeling more at ease and carefree off the court.
As a result of her straightforward victory over Shibahara, the 130th-ranked player quickly settled down as Louis Armstrong Stadium was whipped around by gusty winds.
A strong statement of intent from Raducanu set the stage for a dominant opening set that she finished in 26 minutes by fizzing serve wide.
Raducanu struggled to recover from her opponent’s lack of quality, despite her well-moving and few unforced errors.
As her baseline game sank, Shibahara, who is only in her second Grand Slam main draw, suffered four of her seven break points and made 36 errors.
On her increasingly threatening serve, Raducanu, who played cleanly from the back court, was barely troubled.
In the second round, Raducanu will face either Janie Tjen, an Indonesian qualifier, or Veronika Kudermetova, a Russian 24th seed.
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- Tennis
Source: BBC
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