Emma Raducanu moved a step closer to banishing recent US Open frustration by opening this year’s tournament with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ena Shibahara in the first round. The former champion, who has not won at Flushing Meadows since lifting the trophy in 2021, produced a near-flawless display to take the win in straight sets.
Raducanu dominated the opening set, committing just four unforced errors as she raced through the first five games while Shibahara, competing as a qualifier, faltered with early double faults. She carried that momentum into the second set, grabbing the first four games and weathering a single break point at 4-0 before wrapping up the match when Shibahara pushed a baseline error on match point.
Looking ahead, Raducanu will meet the winner of the Kudermetova-Tjen clash in the next round, a match-up that could shape her path in a deep US Open run. The win also fits into a broader arc of improvement for the British player this season. She has raised her level on hard courts, reaching the Washington Open semi-finals last month and pushing world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to three sets in Cincinnati, a sign of her growing consistency even against the sport’s top names.
That progress has been reinforced by a new coaching setup that has coincided with her improved results, with Raducanu working full-time with coach Francis Roig this year. Supporters have watched her regain confidence and rhythm on the court, fueling optimism about her acceleration toward bigger targets at the US Open and beyond.
Raducanu’s early signs on a big stage offer a hopeful narrative for British women’s tennis as she continues to build momentum. If she can keep her serve steady and translate these performances into deeper runs, she could again capture attention as the US Open unfolds. In the short term, the next round will be a crucial test as she looks to maintain this positive trajectory. The win today underscored a timely resurgence and a kept faith in her continued improvement.
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