US Open champion Emma Raducanu began her Western & Southern Open Cincinnati Masters marketing campaign on a excessive notice on Tuesday (August 16) as she outlasted American legend Serena Williams in a extremely anticipated opening-round match. The 19-year-old Raducanu was dominant from the beginning of the match breaking Williams within the opening recreation earlier than rolling to a 6-4, 6-0 victory.
The 40-year-old Williams, who introduced she is stepping away from tennis after the US Open, was competing in solely her fourth match of the season. The 23-time main champion received her first match in over a 12 months final week on the Nationwide Financial institution Open, defeating Nuria Parrizas Diaz in straight units earlier than bowing out to Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
“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,” Raducanu advised reporters. “She’s just such a legend.”
LI efficiency
In her @CincyTennis debut @EmmaRaducanu strikes previous Serena Williams, 6-4, 6-0! pic.twitter.com/SZ9OjhbyWT
— wta (@WTA) August 17, 2022
The 40-year-old struggled to seek out her rhythm. Raducanu, 19, performed clear tennis all through the match. Raducanu shot only one unforced error whereas Williams misfired on 12 unforced errors to go along with 11 winners.
With a set in hand, the Brit raced away within the second set to gather her twelfth win of the season, hitting zero unforced errors to clinch the match. She is going to face former No.1 Victoria Azarenka within the second spherical.
“I think we all need to just honour Serena and her amazing career. 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,” Raducanu advised the gang after the match.
(with ANI inputs)
