British No 1 dispatches qualifier 6-1- 6-2
Victory is first in grand slam under new coach
Four years since her three life-changing weeks in New York, Emma Raducanu overcame a significant mental hurdle as she earned her first victory at the US Open since her 2021 title run in impressive fashion, dismantling the qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 to finally return to the second round.
After painful first-round defeats against Alizé Cornet and Sofia Kenin, plus a withdrawal in 2023 during her recovery from three surgeries, Raducanu showed her growth and newfound self-assurance by putting together a solid, clean performance against an inferior opponent.
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 Arena. “It’s my first win since 2021 here so it’s extra special,” Raducanu said afterwards.
