Emma Raducanu is into the second round of the US Open, having thrashed Ena Shibahara in a hurry.
Facing a qualifier in the first round of a Grand Slam is never as easy a task as it might seem on paper, as it forces their opponent into the position of heavy favourites.
Not only that, but the qualifier is clearly in good form, having won three matches whilst adapting to the conditions of the tournament early.
Emma Raducanu was not in the mood to let any of these factors impact her though, as she stormed past Shibahara in record time.
However, despite the comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 scoreline, the 2021 US Open champion admitted there was a moment where she was left stunned during their match.
Emma Raducanu reacts to getting first US Open win since 2021 final
Interviewed immediately after on-court, Raducanu first rated her performance against the Japanese star, admitting: “Of course, I’m very, very pleased to have won that match. It’s my first win at the US Open since 2021, so it’s extra special.”
She then echoed an earlier sentiment about the difficulty of facing qualifiers: “First rounds are always difficult, and especially at a slam, you know, there are nerves, and I’m just so happy with the way I came through that and playing Ena. I mean, she’s really tricky.
“She hit so many balls on the baseline that I was not expecting to just dip and she obviously came through qualifying, and it’s always, you know, you feel like you have a bit of an advantage, you’re playing on the surface, and you know what it feels like, so I’m just very pleased with how I managed myself, managed my game through that match.
Raducanu then gave an update on how she’s been feeling in the lead-up to this event. Naturally, she cut an upbeat figure, continuing: “Yeah, I’m very happy.
“I’ve got amazing people in my corner over there, so I want to thank them, and it makes every day, the work, feel a lot more enjoyable, pleasurable, and I see the progress that I’m making on the practice court and it might not come straight away, but I know over time I’m just racking up good days building, and I feel like it has to go somewhere.”
Emma Raducanu records the fastest win of her career
The US Open is really turning into a tournament of firsts for this young superstar.
After all, four years on from the greatest triumph of her career, the 22-year-old has just recorded the fastest win of her career, blitzing through this first-round match against Shibahara in 62 minutes.
The first set lasted just 25 minutes, winning that 6-1, with the second not much longer, finishing 6-2.
It was a comprehensive and comfortable result for the British number one, and the perfect start to her US Open campaign.
Such a speedy and solid victory marks a continuation of her fine form throughout 2025, which is turning into one of the most impressive and most consistent of her career thus far.
