By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Photograph credit score: Matthew Stockman/Getty
NEW YORK—The Grandstand resides within the shadow of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It felt like a world away for Emma Raducanu.
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In a conflict of Grand Slam champions, the 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin despatched a tearful Raducanu out of the US Open first spherical with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory on Grandstand Court docket.
Kenin gained 5 of the ultimate seven video games as Raducanu, who missed the 2023 US Open restoration from wrist surgical procedures, has not gained a match in New York since she conquered Leylah Fernandez within the 2021 US Open ultimate. Fernandez additionally fell within the first spherical.
Raducanu, who made historical past as the primary qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles crown three years in the past, mentioned this defeat was deeply dispiriting.
“I really feel down, I really feel unhappy,” an emotional Raducanu mentioned. “Clearly, this can be a match I actually wish to do nicely in.”
Previous to Flushing Meadows, the 21-year-old Briton beat Elise Mertens and Peyton Stearns to achieve the Washington, DC quarterfinals the place she pushed Paula Badosa to 3 units in defeat.
Looking back, Raducanu mentioned she would have benefited from extra match play previous to the US Open.
“I used to be possibly a bit gradual beginning,” Raducanu mentioned. “Yeah, I’d have most popular to in all probability play somewhat bit extra coming into the US Open.
“I believe I can be taught from it and handle my schedule barely otherwise.”
Raducanu, who misplaced to Lulu Solar within the Wimbledon fourth spherical final month, goals to play the Korea Open beginning on September sixteenth in Seoul.
“Till then, I am simply gonna return to the drafting board and prepare and analyze the place I went improper and try to enhance for the remainder of the season,” Raducanu mentioned. “Clearly, the Slams are over for this 12 months, however it’s not truly that lengthy till Australia comes round once more.”
