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22 minutes ago
US Open 2025
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September
Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app
Britain’s Emma Raducanu overcame a potential banana skin as she clinically beat Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen to reach the US Open third round.
Raducanu oozed confidence in a 6-2 6-1 win that took exactly 60 minutes.
Strong serving and consistently deep groundstrokes were key to the 22-year-old’s victory.
The only real moment of concern for the 2021 US Open champion was when she appeared to be bothered by a back niggle in the second set.
“I’m very pleased with how I played,” said 34th-ranked Raducanu, who could face former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina next.
“Janice is a super dangerous opponent and is playing real well.”
Tjen might have been playing in her first Tour-level event but her opening round win over 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova showed she had the ability to cause problems.
The 23-year-old only turned professional last year after completing her sociology degree at university in the United States but has attracted attention after winning 13 titles on the entry-level ITF World Tennis Tour.
Tjen’s style is reminiscent of crafty former world number one Ashleigh Barty, but Raducanu refused to allow her opponent to find her stride.
Raducanu is looking to further develop her serve as a weapon under new coach Francisco Roig – and it was very effective against 149th-ranked Tjen.
She hit eight aces, landed 79% of her first serves and won 76% of those points to put Tjen on the back foot from the very start of the point.
Raducanu’s power from the baseline continued to push Tjen deep in the court and prevented the Indonesian from using her slice and variety.
While tougher tests lie ahead – particularly if she faces Rybakina in the third round – it was an impressive display and continues the upward trajectory Raducanu has forged this season.
Ninth seed Rybakina takes on Czech world number 96 Tereza Valentova later on Wednesday.
