-
17 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
Emma Raducanu ruthlessly swept aside Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara to earn her first win at the US Open since her memorable 2021 title triumph.
British number one Raducanu needed only 62 minutes to secure a 6-1 6-2 victory on the opening day of the hard-court Grand Slam in New York.
It was the quickest Grand Slam main-draw victory of her career.
New coach Francisco Roig, who helped Rafael Nadal to his 22 major titles, led the vocal support from her courtside box – although there was little guidance or input needed.
“It’s my first win here since 2021 so it feels extra special,” Raducanu said.
Returning to the scene where she shocked the world as a teenage qualifier has previously been a burden for 22-year-old Raducanu.
Chastening first-round defeats in 2022 and 2024 came either side of missing the 2023 tournament through injury.
This year she is back at Flushing Meadows with improved form and a renewed vigour.
Raducanu has won more WTA Tour-level matches this year than ever before and has climbed to the cusp of the top 30 in the world rankings.
A series of injuries over the past four years, combined with the mental load of such frenzied attention, means Raducanu is only now seeing the US Open as her “happy place”.
Since arriving in New York last weekend, Raducanu has cut a jovial figure – particularly during her outing alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the revamped mixed doubles event.
Feeling more relaxed and carefree off court is how she feels she can best fulfil her potential on it.
That was evident in the straightforward victory over 130th-ranked Shibahara.
Opening the match with a fizzing serve out wide was a strong statement of intent from Raducanu and it laid the platform for a dominant opening set which she wrapped up in 26 minutes.
While Raducanu was moving well and hitting minimal unforced errors, she was helped by a lack of quality from her opponent.
Shibahara, playing in only her second Grand Slam main draw, lost four of the seven break points she faced, with Raducanu barely troubled on her increasingly-threatening serve.
