TennisUS Open

Emma Raducanu dominates in US Open first-round victory over Ena Shibahara to overcome unwanted recent record at Flushing Meadows

At the site of her stunning breakout title victory four years ago, Emma Raducanu made a strong start to her 2025 US Open campaign with a convincing straight-sets victory over qualifier Ena Shibahara. The Brit took control of proceedings from the outset, clinching an immediate double-break advantage in the first set, and replicating that in the second to close out the win in just over an hour.

'It's been playing on my mind' - Raducanu on first US Open win in four years

Video credit: SNTV

Emma Raducanu's US Open campaign began in convincing fashion in New York on Sunday, as the Brit battled through "nerves" to dispatch Ena Shibahara for her first win at the Grand Slam in four years.
Raducanu, who broke onto the scene with a remarkable run to win the Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows in 2021, has enjoyed a positive campaign with notable on-court improvement this year, and is looking to end on a high in the final major tournament of the season.
The unseeded 22-year-old could hardly have asked for a more positive curtain-raiser, as she closed out the 6-1 6-2 victory in a little over an hour and, in the process, breaking an unwanted recent record at the New York event.
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"I'm very, very pleased to have won that match," Raducanu said on-court. "It's my first win here since 2021, so it's extra special.
"First rounds are always difficult, especially at Slams there are nerves. I'm so happy with the way I came through playing Ena.
"She's really tricky, she hits so many balls on the baseline I wasn't expecting to just dip. She came through qualifying, and you feel like you have a bit of an advantage, playing on the surface."
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The Brit added: "I'm very happy I've got amazing people in my corner. It makes the work everyday feel more enjoyable. I see the progress I'm making on the practice court. It might not come straight away, but I feel like I'm racking up good days."
She also told BBC Sport: "When I saw the Sunday schedule, I thought first day, first match at 11am - you don't want to be out of the tournament by 12:30pm on a Sunday. That definitely was on my mind.
"At the same time, if it goes well, you get the afternoon off, which is really nice before your day off in between matches.
"I'm pleased I can enjoy the rest of my day and celebrate the win."
Raducanu claimed an immediate double-break in the first set to romp into a 5-0 lead. While Shibahara - who came through qualifying without dropping a set - did finally get on the scoreboard, she could not prevent Raducanu from stepping halfway towards victory within 27 minutes.
The second set followed in the same trajectory. Raducanu's continued pressure on her opponent's serve saw the most competitive game of the match thus far, as Shibahara saved three break points before succumbing to what felt an inevitable conclusion.
With a break behind her, Raducanu was looking to close out the first round at pace. She broke to 15 for a 3-0 lead, held to love, and from there, was just two games from victory.
There was, however, some late fight in the Japanese 27-year-old. She held to 15 for 4-1, and then took Raducanu all the way to deuce on her serve after the Brit fended off a break point.
But, having risen to return to the position as British No. 1 this year, Raducanu has found not only more consistency, but a steeliness about her game to see results through.
She did just that, battling back to take control of her serve, winning the deuce and sealing the victory with her next service game.
Raducanu will face qualifier Janice Tjen who beat No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova in three sets.
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