In a dazzling display of skill and resilience, Emma Raducanu stormed back into the spotlight at the 2025 US Open, securing her first victory at Flushing Meadows since her historic 2021 championship run. The 22-year-old British tennis star delivered a commanding performance against Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara, winning 6-1, 6-2 in a mere 62 minutes. This triumph marked not only her return to form but also the fastest Grand Slam victory of her career, a feat that caught even Raducanu by surprise. “I didn’t know that!” she exclaimed with a smile during a post-match interview with Sky Sports, her genuine delight shining through as she learned of the record-breaking speed of her win.
The match, played on the lively courts of Louis Armstrong Stadium, showcased Raducanu at her aggressive best. Dressed in a striking red Nike outfit, she wasted no time asserting dominance, racing to a 5-0 lead in the first set within just 26 minutes. Shibahara, ranked world No. 128, managed to hold serve once to avoid a bagel, but Raducanu’s relentless baseline play and pinpoint accuracy left little room for a comeback. The second set followed a similar script, with Raducanu breaking serve twice and maintaining an impenetrable hold on her own delivery, facing just one break point throughout the match. Her efficiency was remarkable, with only six unforced errors compared to Shibahara’s 36, a testament to her focus and preparation under new coach Francisco Roig, a former mentor to tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
For Raducanu, this victory carried profound significance. Since her fairy-tale 2021 US Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier—the first in history to achieve such a feat—she had faced challenges at Flushing Meadows, including first-round exits in 2022 and 2024, and a year sidelined in 2023 due to multiple surgeries on her wrists and ankle. Reflecting on her journey, she admitted to feeling the weight of expectations in New York in recent years. “Of course I’m very, very pleased to have won that match. It’s my first win here since 2021, so it’s extra special,” she told the crowd, her voice brimming with emotion. “First rounds are always difficult, especially at a Slam. I’m just so happy with the way I came through that.”
Raducanu’s resurgence in 2025 has been a story of grit and growth. After a season of steady progress, including a WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami and competitive showings against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, she arrived in New York ranked No. 36, just outside the seedings but brimming with confidence. Her work with Roig has clearly paid dividends, with the coach’s vocal encouragement—“Vamos! You’re doing very good!”—echoing from the sidelines during the match. Raducanu credited her team for making the daily grind enjoyable, noting, “I’ve got amazing people in my corner, so I want to thank them, and it makes every day the work feel a lot more enjoyable.”
The match was not just a personal milestone but a reminder of Raducanu’s potential to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova praised her performance, saying, “She played like the defending champion… very solid performance. She was playing with joy.” Former British No. 1 Tim Henman echoed this sentiment, describing the win as “absolutely ideal” for a first-round Grand Slam match, highlighting how Raducanu “stamped her authority” from the outset.
Looking ahead, Raducanu faces another qualifier, Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, ranked No. 149, in the second round. Tjen, who stunned 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova in her opener, presents a fresh challenge, but Raducanu’s momentum and newfound mental clarity suggest she’s ready. “I see the progress that I’m making on the practice court,” she said, “and it might not come straight away, but I know over time I’m just racking up good days building, and I feel like it has to go somewhere.”
As Raducanu continues her quest for a second US Open title, her performance against Shibahara serves as a powerful statement: the young star who once captivated the tennis world is back, faster and stronger than ever. With the New York crowd behind her and a renewed sense of purpose, Raducanu’s journey at the 2025 US Open promises to be one to watch.
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