US Open: Emma Raducanu breaks Flushing Meadows curse, earns first win since 2021

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu finally ended her Flushing Meadows hoodoo by cruising past Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 in the first round on Sunday, August 24.

This marked Raducanu’s first US Open win since her breakthrough title run in 2021, when she became the youngest qualifier to lift the trophy. After bowing out in the first round in her previous two US Open appearances, the 22-year-old looked in top form against Shibahara, wrapping up the match in just 62 minutes. Raducanu will next face the winner of the clash between 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova and Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen.

Raducanu dominated from the outset, committing only four unforced errors in the first set and winning the opening five games. Shibahara struggled early with double faults, allowing Raducanu to maintain momentum. The British star won the first four games of the second set, saved the only break point she faced in the sixth game, and eventually forced Shibahara into an error to seal the victory.

Raducanu on the win:
“It’s my first win here since 2021, so it’s extra special,” said Raducanu, who recently began working with new coach Francisco Roig. “First round’s always difficult—especially at a Slam.”

Raducanu has shown strong form this year, pushing World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon and performing well at the Cincinnati Open. She emphasized the progress she sees in her game: “I see the progress that I’m making on the practice court. I feel like it has to go somewhere.”