Emma Raducanu’s Next Test at the U.S. Open Is Shelby Rogers
The most inexperienced players also looked the most comfortable in the first week of the U.S. Open.
Starting in the qualifying draw, Emma Raducanu of Britain has won all six of her matches in straight sets, without needing a tiebreaker in any of them. Her most recent win was her most impressive: She beat 41st-ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain, 6-0, 6-1, on Saturday to reach the round of 16, where she will face the American Shelby Rogers on Monday.
“I’m extremely fresh; I haven’t really played on tour for the whole entire year,” Raducanu said Saturday. “This whole experience is just so new to me; I think that’s the enjoyment factor that I’m getting.”
Raducanu was the third 18-year-old to reach the fourth round of this year’s U.S. Open, joining Leylah Fernandez and Carlos Alcaraz. Those two have advanced to the quarterfinals.
“To have so many young players coming through is just really great for the game because it just shows how strong this next generation is,” Raducanu said. “Having so many young players and 18-year-olds, I think we all inspire each other to play better. Because like for me today, I wanted to join them in the second week as well, so that was an extra bit of motivation.”
