‘Calm’ Emma Raducanu sees off Serena Williams: ‘It was a true honour to share the court with her’
Emma Raducanu produced a mature display in the much-hyped clash against the retiring Serena Williams and had nothing but praise for the tennis great after winning in straight sets at the Western & Southern Open.
With former world No 1 Williams announcing last week that she is stepping away from tennis in the next few months following nearly three decades at the top, all eyes were naturally going to be on her first-ever encounter with reigning US Open champion Raducanu.
But the match failed to live up pre-match fanfare as it was the new guard who came out on top with a dominant 6-4, 6-0 victory in just over an hour on Centre Court in Cincinnati.
ꜱᴏʟɪᴅ performance 👊
In her @CincyTennis debut @EmmaRaducanu moves past Serena Williams, 6-4, 6-0! pic.twitter.com/SZ9OjhbyWT
— wta (@WTA) August 17, 2022
Having struggled for form herself in recent months – losing her opener at the Canadian Open and in the quarter-final at the Citi Open, Raducanu put in a confidence boosting display from start to finish.
The 10th seed broke the 23-time Grand Slam winner’s serve in the opening game of the match and doubled up in game five with a second break. There was a glimmer of hope for Williams as she got one break back in game six, but Raducanu went on to serve out the set.
It was one-way traffic in the second set with the British No 1 break in games one, three and five before serving the match out to love.
Raducanu paid tribute to the former world No 1 during her post-match court interview.
“I think we all need to just honour Serena and her amazing career,” the 19-year-old said.
“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 honour to share the court with her.”
She added: “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. She’s just such a legend.”
The match will no doubt give Raducanu a bit more belief ahead of her US Open title defence with the tournament starting on August 29.
However, the draw doesn’t get easier at this week’s WTA 1000 event as the teenager will face another former world No 1 in the second round in Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
The winner of the Raducanu-Azarenka encounter will take on either seventh seed Jessica Pegula or qualifier Marta Kostyuk for a place in the quarter-final.
Also in Section 3 of the bottom half of the draw, Serena’s older sister Venus Williams also bowed out in the first round as the former world No 1 and seven-time Grand Slam winner went down 7-5, 6-1 against 14th seed Karolina Pliskova.
Qualifier Caroline Garcia provided the upset in the section as the Frenchwoman defeated fourth seed Maria Sakkari 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (6-8), 6-1 in the second round and she will face the winner of the Pliskova-Elese Mertens clash.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”