Emma Raducanu started her campaign in style as she defeated Serena Williams in a highly anticipated match. Defending US Open champion Raducanu played a clean match as she ousted Serena 6-4, 6-0 in the opening round. Serena, who recently announced her retirement plans was playing in her 4th singles match of the season.
Emma was dominated from the start breaking Serena in the opening game. She then rolled over the match. Serena struggled to find her rhythm during the match. Raducanu hit 14 winners all match with just 1 unforced error. Serena on the other hand finished with 19 winners but an equal number of unforced errors as well.
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Raducanu broke Serena twice in the first set. Williams then generated her only break point of the match and converted it to close some gap. However, the lead was too big and Emma nicely served out the match in 39 minutes. She hit 8 winners with 1 unforced error all set.
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With a set in her pocket, Emma ran away as she hit no unforced errors to close out the match. Overall she broke Serena’s serve 5 times in the match. Serena on the other hand didn’t get many chances in the second set.
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Reactions from Emma Raducanu after the match
“I think from the beginning to the end, I maybe looked calm, but I just knew how important every single point was, because you let up a little bit and she’s going to be all over you,” Raducanu told reporters. “She’s just such a legend.”
“I think we all need to just honor Serena and her amazing career,” Raducanu told the crowd after the match. “I’m so grateful for the experience of being able to play her and for our careers to cross over. Everything that she’s achieved is so inspirational and it was a true honor to share the court with her. ”
“But it is a fast turnover tomorrow, and I probably have got 12 hours until I’m back on site. I’m playing another Slam champion tomorrow, so it’s obviously going to be really difficult. I’m just going to try to prepare as best as possible.”
Serena Williams will now turn her focus on US Open, which starts on August 29th. Emma Raducanu will face former No.1 Victoria Azarenka in the second round.
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