Emma Raducanu secured her first victory at the US Open since her stunning 2021 triumph, defeating Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round at Flushing Meadows. The straight-sets victory ended a frustrating three-year drought in New York, where the British player had suffered first-round exits in 2022 and 2024.
The 22-year-old dominated from the start on Louis Armstrong Stadium, wrapping up the match in just over an hour. Raducanu called the win "special" for bringing an end to her disappointing streak at the tournament where she famously captured her maiden Grand Slam title as a qualifier four years ago.
New coaching influence
Working with new coach Francisco Roig, who previously guided Rafael Nadal, Raducanu showed improved tactical discipline throughout the match. The Daily Mail reports her game has focused more on backhand reliability under Roig's guidance, a shift that paid dividends against the world number 128.
Shibahara appeared to be hampered by heavy elbow strapping, according to courtside observations, which may have contributed to her struggles against Raducanu's aggressive baseline play.
Mental breakthrough
The victory represents more than just progression to the second round for Raducanu, who has endured a turbulent period since her breakthrough success. Surgeries on both wrists and ankle problems have disrupted her consistency and prevented her from playing a full tour calendar.
Raducanu has spoken openly about being in a "better place" mentally compared to her struggles in recent years. Her current world ranking of 36 has lifted her to the cusp of the seeding rankings, reflecting her improved form and fitness.
Return to form
The comprehensive nature of the victory will boost confidence as Raducanu seeks to build on her recent improvements. New York has proven a challenging venue for her return visits since 2021, making this dominant display particularly significant for her continued development.
The British player's next opponent will provide a sterner test of whether this represents a genuine breakthrough or simply a good day against a doubles specialist transitioning to singles play.
Sources used: "The Telegraph", "Independent", "Daily Mail", "The Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
