Tennis – Former champion Emma Raducanu took a step towards exorcising her recent US Open demons, earning her first victory at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2021 by beating Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2 in the first round on Sunday.
Aryna Sabalenka stormed into the second round after defeating Rebeka Masarova in straight sets 7-5, 6-1 in one hour and 21 minutes.
The Briton could not get past the first round in her last two appearances after winning it all as a qualifier four years ago, but she was on the right track this time around with a near-pristine performance against Shibahara.
She next faces Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen, who beat the 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 4-6 6-4.
“It’s my first win here since 2021, so it’s extra special,” said Raducanu, who joined up with new coach Francisco Roig earlier this month.
“First round’s always difficult – especially at a slam.”
Raducanu sprinted through the opening set making just four unforced errors, winning the first five games as the Japanese qualifier did herself no favours with a pair of early double faults.
The Briton got off to another hot start in the second set, winning the first four games and saving the only break point she faced in the sixth game, before forcing her opponent into an error on match point from the baseline.
Raducanu has brought her level up this year, reaching the Washington Open semi-finals last month and taking world number one Aryna Sabalenka to three sets in the third round in Cincinnati.
“I see the progress that I’m making on the practice court,” she said. “I feel like it has to go somewhere.”
It wasn’t a stress free first set for Sabalenka, who broke at 6-5 to win and then rallied down 0-40 in her opening service game of the second set. But she was dominant from there on, showing why she’s the world number one. She broke four times for the match and won 81 per cent of her first serve points.
Sabalenka awaits Polina Kudermetova in the second round.
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