Emma Raducanu expressed her disappointment after a challenging first-round defeat at the US Open to Sofia Kenin. The former champion, Kenin, showcased a dominant performance with six aces and 45 winners, ultimately securing a 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory over Raducanu.
Raducanu, who had skipped key tune-up events in her preparation for the tournament, acknowledged that she may have benefited from more match practice leading up to the US Open. Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu mentioned the importance of match experience in feeling confident and in sync on the court.
Despite facing setbacks in the opening set, Raducanu displayed resilience in the second set, securing a crucial break to level the match. However, she struggled to maintain her momentum in the deciding set, allowing Kenin to capitalize on key moments and ultimately clinch the victory.
Kenin, recognizing the challenge of facing a former champion like Raducanu, commended her opponent's competitive spirit and expressed the need to dig deep to secure the win.
Raducanu, who had previously made a remarkable run at the US Open three years ago, expressed her emotions following the match but also highlighted her determination to take away valuable lessons from the experience. Despite the disappointment of the early exit, Raducanu remains focused on her aspirations to perform well at prestigious tournaments like the US Open.
Having faced early exits in recent editions of the tournament, Raducanu's journey at Flushing Meadows continues to be a test of resilience and growth as she navigates the challenges of elite competition.
