Emma Raducanu’s journey in the US Open came to an early end as she was defeated by Sofia Kenin in the opening round. The match, a face-off between former Grand Slam champions, took place in New York on Tuesday night. Raducanu, known for her historic run at Flushing Meadows three years ago as the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, struggled to replicate that success.
The emotional nature of Raducanu’s disappointment was evident during her press conference, where she wiped away tears when asked about her feelings. Despite a valiant effort in the second set, Raducanu ultimately succumbed to Kenin’s prowess, losing with a score of 6-1 3-6 6-4 in front of a sparse crowd on Grandstand.
The Briton’s performance in the match showcased flashes of promise, with a notable improvement in the second set. However, Raducanu’s momentum waned in the decider, leading to her defeat.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz faced a tough test against Australian qualifier Li Tu, ultimately emerging victorious with a score of 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1. Despite concerns over a right ankle injury sustained during a practice session, the 21-year-old demonstrated resilience, extending his Grand Slam match-winning streak to 15.
Up next for Alcaraz is a match against Botic van de Zandschulp, who secured a victory against Denis Shapovalov in his previous match.
In a match marked by intense scrutiny following his anti-doping tests controversy, World No 1 Jannik Sinner managed to secure a hard-fought victory. Amid criticism and a frosty reception from fellow players, Sinner showcased his resilience in the face of adversity, ultimately triumphing over Mackenzie McDonald with a score of 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2.
In other matches, former champion Daniil Medvedev secured a place in the second round with a hard-fought victory over Serbian Dusan Lajovic. However, World No 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas and the 19th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime faced unexpected defeats, adding further excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
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