Emma Raducanu required exactly one hour to dispatch rising young qualifier Janice Tjen, defeating the Indonesian 6-2, 6-1 in a devastating display to race into the third round of the US Open for the second time in her career.
It was Raducanu’s first time competing deeper than the opening round since her stunning title run in 2021. Today, she made further progress by recording her quickest ever Grand Slam victory in a campaign that is rapidly gathering momentum and intrigue.
“First of all, I think the consistency of doing good practice every day has helped to build on that,” Raducanu told the Louis Armstrong crowd in her on-court interview, when asked about what has changed for her in the last twelve months.
“I started to do that after the Miami Open and I was putting in some really good work, but I’ve also stepped up what I’m doing on and off the court in recent weeks.”
Having struggled with injuries and the pressure that comes from sudden fame in the years following her US Open triumph, the Briton returns to Flushing Meadows this year in as good a shape both mentally and physically as she has been over the past four years.
That was abundantly evident throughout today’s 60-minute demolition job of Tjen, who was powerless to stem the relentless barrage of depth and pace coming from the other side of the net.
Two breaks in each set were enough for Raducanu to wrap up a quick-fire victory as she moved through to face either Elena Rybakina or Tereza Valentova in the third round.
“It was really good to play in front of you guys on Louis Armstrong Stadium. I loved it once again so thank you so much,” concluded Raducanu as she reflected on a thoroughly impressive hour’s work.
