USA Today via Reuters
Aug 16, 2022; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Emma Raducanu (GBR) reacts to a point in her match against Serena Williams (USA) at the Western & Southern Open at the at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 16, 2022; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Emma Raducanu (GBR) reacts to a point in her match against Serena Williams (USA) at the Western & Southern Open at the at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Emma Raducanu is living her dream at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. The British tennis star grew up watching Serena Williams dominate women’s tennis. Now, in their maiden meeting at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, the 19-year-old defeated the American legend in straight sets.
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Earlier this year, Raducanu struggled for form as she had an inconsistent run across the tournaments. However, she produced one of her best performances in recent times to prevail over the 23-time Grand Slam champion. After the match, she revealed another player on her bucket list.
Emma Raducanu wants to play against Simona Halep
During the post-match press conference after her first-round win over Serena Williams, Raducanu was asked about whom she wanted to play against that she didn’t have a chance to play with. Replying to this question, Raducanu said, “I would say one person. I would love to play Simona, just because I think she all around is like, for me, all around the most complete player.”
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 11, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada (not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
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Further, she added, “She moves extremely well. She’s aggressive. She can defend. She makes you work so hard for every point. Could be like a slow, painful, you know, like she gets you (smiling). But I think just to be able to feel that would be great.”
Raducanu’s journey ahead in Cincinnati
After defeating Serena in straight sets at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, Raducanu will face the former World Number 1, Victoria Azarenka, in the second round of the tournament. It will be their maiden meeting on the WTA Tour. Their match will take place later today.
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Further, if Raducanu overcomes the second-round hurdle, she will potentially face the challenge of Jessica Pegula in the third round. It’ll be interesting to see how Emma Raducanu fares ahead of her US Open title defense later this month.
