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WTA Cincinnati: Emma Raducanu - Dress rehearsal for the US Open "a turning point"

Emma Raducanu had to bow out in the round of 16 at the dress rehearsal for the US Open, where the young Brit is the defending champion. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old sees an important upward trend.

by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 20, 2022, 08:10 am

Emma Raducanu goes into the US Open 2022 as the defending champion
© Getty Images
Emma Raducanu goes into the US Open 2022 as the defending champion

Emma Raducanu could hardly have set the bar much higher herself: In almost exactly one week, the young Brit is aiming to defend her title at the US Open Mission. And that without even getting past the quarterfinals on the WTA tour since the sensational Grand Slam title win a year ago. What doesn't make the undertaking any easier: Raducanu has to defend 2,000 of her around 2,700 world ranking points in New York City.

In order not to make a comparable descent, as recently happened to Sofia Kenin, the Briton needs a good result at the last major event of the year. Because: this did not happen in the preparation for the US Open. Only on Thursday did the world number 13. bow out in the last preparatory tournament in the round of sixteen. In the round of 16, Raducanu lost in straight sets to Jessica Pegula.

Raducanu speaks of "turning point"

Nevertheless, the Briton is not dissatisfied, in particular the clear successes over Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka would have given the 19-year-old a boost: "This week was a big step for me. Last year it was the first tournament I started in to look more for my shots without waiting for the opponent's mistakes," explained the Brit. Because it wasn't always like that: "I think in the past I pushed the ball a lot more than trying to follow through."

The 19-year-old now wants to build on that - and take the positive momentum to the declared highlight of the season after Flushing Meadows: "I'm pretty proud of how I did in this tournament, I think it's a turning point for the future," said Raducanu, who will take a break next week to prepare as best as possible for the US Open. Because there, that's for sure, the best version of the young Brit is needed.

by Michael Rothschädl

Saturday
Aug 20, 2022, 11:07 am
last edit: Aug 20, 2022, 08:10 am