Raducanu conquers first round demons with dominant U.S. Open victory over Shibahara
Former champion Emma Raducanu began the process of banishing her recent U.S. Open struggles with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 first-round victory over Japan's Ena Shibahara on Sunday, securing her first triumph at Flushing Meadows since her fairy-tale championship run in 2021. The British star delivered a near-flawless performance that suggested she may finally be ready to recapture the magic that made her tennis's most unlikely champion four years ago.
Raducanu's emphatic victory marked a significant milestone in her quest to overcome the disappointment of consecutive first-round exits in her previous two appearances at the tournament where she achieved tennis immortality as a qualifier. The comprehensive nature of her performance against Shibahara demonstrated the technical improvements and mental strength she has developed under the guidance of new coach Francisco Roig.
The 2021 champion will now advance to face either 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova or Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen in the second round, providing her with another opportunity to build momentum in a tournament that holds such special significance in her career trajectory.
"It's my first win here since 2021, so it's extra special," said Raducanu, who began working with former Rafael Nadal coach Roig earlier this month. "First round's always difficult - especially at a slam."
The British player's dominance was evident from the opening exchanges as she raced through the first set with remarkable efficiency, committing just four unforced errors while establishing early control. Raducanu won the opening five games in succession, benefiting from her opponent's early nerves as Japanese qualifier Shibahara contributed two costly double faults during the crucial opening phase.
The second set followed a similar pattern as Raducanu continued her aggressive, error-free tennis to seize a commanding 4-0 advantage. The only moment of potential concern came in the sixth game when she faced her sole break point of the match, but the former champion demonstrated the mental fortitude that characterized her championship run by successfully defending her serve.
Raducanu sealed the victory in style, forcing Shibahara into a baseline error on match point to complete a performance that showcased both her technical precision and competitive intensity. The comfortable margin of victory suggested that her recent work with Roig is beginning to bear fruit at the highest level.
The triumph represents the latest encouraging sign in what has been a resurgent year for Raducanu, who reached the Washington Open semifinals last month and pushed world number one Aryna Sabalenka to three sets in the third round at Cincinnati. These performances have indicated that the British star is gradually rediscovering the form that made her such a formidable force during her breakthrough season.
Raducanu's improved consistency and confidence have been evident in her recent performances, suggesting that the combination of experience gained from previous struggles and the tactical guidance of her new coaching setup may finally be paying dividends.
"I see the progress that I'm making on the practice court," she explained. "I feel like it has to go somewhere."
SportsLigue