Emma Raducanu beats Ena Shibahara to secure first win at US Open since title victory in 2021
Emma Raducanu defeated Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara in the first round at US Open 2025 on Sunday to bag her first win at the tournament since her title victory 4 years back.
Emma Raducanu begun her campaign at the US Open 2025 with a comfortable victory in the women's singles first round on Sunday. Raducanu defeated Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara in straight sets in her first-round clash to register her first victory at the Grand Slam event since her title triumph in 2021. Raducanu looked in complete control during the game as she made light work of Shibahara in the match.
Raducanu wrapped up a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory against Shibahara in just 62 minutes to record the fastest Grand Slam main-draw victory in her career so far. With her new coach, Francisco Roig, who also coached Nadal, guiding her from the sidelines, Raducanu looked sharp and rejuvenated on the court on the opening day of the hard-court major in New York.
After winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2021, Raducanu suffered a first-round exit at the tournament in 2022. She missed the next edition due to an injury in 2023, before suffering another first-round exit in the tournament last year. However, she brought an end to the drought with a commanding win against Shibahara.
The British star made a strong start in the match, sweeping the first set 6-1 comfortably inside just 26 minutes. Raducanu's movement was top-notch, and she made very few unforced errors as she continued her fine form in the second set, clinching it 6-2. The British star was helped by her opponent's lack of quality as the Japanese was a no match.
Having moved to the second round, Raducanu will aim to continue her winning at the US Open 2025 as she looks to win her second title at Flushing Meadows this year.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beats Alexander Shevchenko
Meanwhile, in the men's singles event, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets on the opening day of the US Open 2025. Fokina beat Shevchenko 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in his first-round clash to book a spot in the second round of the tournament.
Spain's Fokina will now take on the winner of the match between Roberto Carballes Baena and Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the 2nd round.