Teenage sensations are ‘showing how strong next generation is’ – insists victorious Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu booked her place in semi-final of US Open with a straight sets win against Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic.
The 18-year-old got off to a nervy start as she trailed the vastly experienced Bencic 0-2, however teenage sensation Raducanu soon found her stride, producing outstanding, aggressive ground-strokes, mixed with dogged defence to switch momentum.
Bencic fought hard to rescue a topsy-turvy opening set, but Raducanu claimed it 6-3. The Swiss threatened a comeback in the early proceedings of set two, but Raducanu took charge with a couple of formidable forehand winners before serving out to take the match 6-3, 6-4.
The wildcard is still yet to drop a set on route to the semi-final, winning 16 consecutively, including qualifying.
“Belinda is such a great opponent and she’s in unbelievable form. Her ball speed caught me off guard as she hits the ball so hard, I had to adjust and adapt, it was a tough match and I’m pleased to come through.” Raducanu said in her post-match intervew.
“I have an amazing team here with me, they are keeping me in one piece, my team back home is amazing too. Thanks to everyone at home, I wish you could be here.”
“I was 0-30 in my last couple of service games, to hold was big. I just tried to focus on each point, landing first serves and I knew Belinda would fight to the end.”
“To have so many young players here doing well just shows how strong the next generation is. Leylah is doing incredibly well. This is my own journey.” she added.
Raducanu will jump ahead of Johanna Konta and Heather Watson in updated world rankings and become British number one following her quarter-final victory.
Her opponent in the semi-final will either be Greek Maria Sakkari or hugely experienced Czech Karolina Pliskova.
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