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Emma Raducanu returned to the US Open winner's circle in emphatic fashion on Monday, defeating qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 to secure her first victory at the tournament since her fairytale title run in 2021. The win represented a significant mental hurdle overcome for Raducanu, who had endured a series of disappointing first-round exits and an eight months injury withdrawal in 2023, now displaying a newfound self-assurance in a clean and dominant performance.
“It has been on my mind,” Raducanu said of her inability to win a match in New York. “It’s been four years, and it’s a very special tournament for me. I did feel different coming into it this year. I felt like I was doing the right things day to day, but still, it’s in the back of your head. So I’m just very pleased to have overcome that.”
With the victory, the British No 1 is now 20-4 against lower-ranked players over the past year and her ability to consistently win favourable match-ups has been a key part of her steady rise up the rankings. She will next face the qualifier Janice Tjen, who toppled the 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
It also signified a confidence-building first grand slam victory alongside her new Spanish coach, Francisco Roig, who again offered his charge a constant stream of positive reinforcement from a corner of Louis Armstrong Stadium. Roig was joined in Raducanu’s player box by Jerome Poupel, a chiropractor who has been helping Raducanu with her continued back injury.
“He’s been helping me for the last year, I would say. I’ve had back problems for the last year, so he’s just really helped with that,” Raducanu said.
Before the tournament, Raducanu spoke in depth about how the US Open has generated conflicting emotions for her over the years. Her first‑round defeat against Kenin last year was a particularly low point, and Raducanu broke down in tears during her post-match press conference.
Things are clearly different now. This summer Raducanu has become a more match tough and confident player than at any point in the past four years. Now she will try to turn that conviction and contentment into another positive run in New York.
