On a sun-drenched afternoon at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, delivered a masterclass in precision and power, dismantling Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory on August 27, 2025. The 22-year-old British star needed just 60 minutes to secure her place in the third round, marking her fastest-ever Grand Slam win and signaling a resurgent force at Flushing Meadows. For Raducanu, this performance was not just a win—it was a statement, a testament to her renewed confidence and a reminder of the magic she conjured four years ago when she claimed the title as a teenage qualifier.
Raducanu’s journey back to the US Open’s third round, her first since that historic 2021 triumph, has been anything but straightforward. Injuries and the weight of expectation have tested her resolve, but on this day, she moved with the poise of a seasoned champion. From the opening game, she set the tone, breaking Tjen’s serve to surge to a 3-0 lead. Her serve, a weapon honed under the guidance of new coach Francisco Roig, was nearly untouchable, firing eight aces and winning 76% of first-serve points. “I thought that I served very well,” Raducanu told reporters post-match. “It always helps me when I’m serving well. It just kind of seeps into the rest of my game.”
Tjen, ranked No. 149, was no pushover. The 23-year-old had stunned the tennis world days earlier by upsetting 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova, becoming the first Indonesian woman to win a Grand Slam main-draw match in 22 years. Her game, reminiscent of former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, blends a spin-heavy forehand with a crafty backhand slice, a combination that had propelled her to a 95-10 record over the past 15 months. Yet, Raducanu’s relentless pace and pinpoint groundstrokes left Tjen scrambling. “Janice is playing some really dangerous tennis,” Raducanu acknowledged in her on-court interview. “She’s gone through some tough opponents. Beat one of the top seeds first round. I’m sure she can build and take a lot of confidence from this.”
The match showcased Raducanu’s evolution as a player. Her cross-court backhand pinned Tjen in her weaker corner, neutralizing the Indonesian’s slice and forcing errors. By the second set, Raducanu was in full command, stepping inside the baseline to dictate points with aggressive shotmaking. “I’m really pleased with how I performed today,” she said, reflecting on her ability to stay focused despite a two-day wait that disrupted her rhythm. “I had to wait two days to play this second round match, so that kind of breaks the rhythm a little bit.” Her efficiency was staggering: she dropped just three games, bringing her total to six games lost across her first two matches, the fewest she’s ever conceded en route to a Grand Slam third round.
Off the court, Raducanu’s newfound ease was palpable. The pressure of her 2021 victory had once loomed large, but this year, Flushing Meadows felt like a “happy place.” Her bond with Roig, forged during long car rides to the Cincinnati Open, has brought stability and confidence. “I put a lot of trust in what I’m doing with Francisco on the practice court,” she noted. This trust translated into a performance that left commentators buzzing. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, watching from the Sky Sports desk, marveled: “If you take out of the equation the ranking of her opponent and just purely focus on the way Emma played, it was highly impressive.”
Tjen, a former sociology student at Pepperdine University, had drawn inspiration from Raducanu’s 2021 run while sidelined by injury in college. “When Emma won the tournament and [was] having an incredible run here, I was actually in college, and I was injured at the time, so I got to watch a lot of tennis,” Tjen recalled. “Just seeing her doing it made me inspired to be able to do it, as well.” Raducanu, aware of the sentiment, admitted it added a layer of pressure but also a “really nice feeling.” Her graciousness shone through as she encouraged Tjen post-match: “I’m looking forward to the next time I play her.”
With this victory, Raducanu has now won 26 WTA Tour-level matches in 2025, her most successful season to date. She’s climbed to the cusp of the top 30, a testament to her consistency since the Miami Open. “The consistency of doing good practice days every day, building on that,” she said, crediting her recent surge. Her efficiency on court—spending just over two hours across her first two matches—has allowed her to conserve energy, a crucial factor as she prepares for a tougher test against either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or Czech teenager Tereza Valentova in the third round on August 29.
Raducanu’s performance was a blend of nostalgia and reinvention, echoing the fearless qualifier who captivated the world four years ago while showcasing a more mature, strategic game. “I’m embracing the pressure and expectation a lot more now,” she told BBC Sport, a nod to her growth both as a player and a person. As she waved to the roaring crowd, firing signed balls into the stands, Raducanu looked every bit the champion rediscovering her spark. For fans and foes alike, her display was a reminder: Emma Raducanu is back, and she’s ready for the challenges ahead.
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