2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu wins a match in New York for the 1st time since her title
Emma Raducanu finally ended her winless rut at the U.S. Open, earning her first victory at the Grand Slam tournament since taking the 2021 title there as an 18-year-old qualifier, eliminating Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes on Sunday. "Of course, I'm very, very pleased," Raducanu said, noting that it had been a while since she came out on the right side of a score in New York, “so it's extra special.” After her surprising championship four years ago, which remains her only tour-level trophy, Raducanu lost in the first round at Flushing Meadows in 2022, missed the tournament in 2023 — when she had operations on both of her wrists and an ankle — and again exited in her opening match a year ago.
Read more: 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu wins a match in New York for the 1st time since her title
US Open tennis players don't necessarily think more is better when it comes to starting on Sunday
Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova made clear they didn't love the idea of starting a Grand Slam tournament on a Sunday instead of a Monday when the French Open was the first to do it nearly 20 years ago and they were on the schedule for the new, earlier Day 1. Now that the trend has reached the U.S. Open this year, not every current player is exactly a proponent of the switch, either — even if the crowds were gathering on-site Sunday morning before the start of competition. “I hate the Sunday start,” said Jordan Thompson, an Australian who's been ranked as high as No. 26 in singles and No. 3 in doubles.
Read more: US Open tennis players don't necessarily think more is better when it comes to starting on Sunday
Shelton romps into US Open second round
In-form home hope Ben Shelton got his US Open campaign off to a smooth start on Sunday with a comfortable straight sets victory over Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse."Starting to feel like home for me," Shelton said after wrapping up victory in 2hr 7min on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt.
Read more: Shelton romps into US Open second round
Emma Raducanu reveals why rapid US Open win was ‘extra special’
