Queens, NY—-Emma Raducanu ended a long winless streak at the U.S. Open with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ena Shibahara on Sunday, securing her first win at the Grand Slam since her stunning 2021 title run. The match, which lasted just 62 minutes, marked her return to form after a series of disappointing early exits at Flushing Meadows.
“Of course, I’m very pleased,” Raducanu said after the match, reflecting on the significance of her win. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a result like this here, so it feels extra special.”
The victory was especially meaningful for the 2021 champion, who had struggled to find her rhythm in New York since her breakthrough.
After her surprise championship, Raducanu faced a first-round loss in 2022, missed the tournament in 2023 due to wrist and ankle surgeries, and again fell in the opening round last year.
In front of a partly cloudy sky and a breeze, Raducanu dominated the first match of the day at Louis Armstrong Stadium. She quickly took control, needing just 40 minutes to win the opening set and surge to a 3-0 lead in the second. Her coach, Francisco Roig, was visible in the stands, offering encouragement and positivity throughout the match.
Shibahara, who had breezed through her qualifying rounds without dropping a set, couldn’t handle Raducanu’s relentless pace. The British star’s groundstrokes, backed by steady focus and energy, overwhelmed the Japanese qualifier, ranked 128th in the world. Raducanu, who made history as the only player to win a Grand Slam title after coming through qualifying, showed what she could do at her best against a tough but overmatched opponent.
Raducanu’s serving was on point, as she faced just one break point — and saved it. She committed only six unforced errors, while Shibahara struggled with 36.
“I managed myself well and stuck to my game plan,” Raducanu said. “I can see the progress I’m making in practice, and it’s great to see that translate onto the match court.”
The win is a welcome boost for Raducanu, who is once again starting to show glimpses of the form that captured hearts at the U.S. Open two years ago.
