Emma Raducanu was knocked out in opening spherical of the US Open by Sofia Kenin in a battle of former Grand Slam champions on Tuesday evening in New York.
Raducanu has struggled to recapture the magic of her fairy-tale run at Flushing Meadows three years in the past when she turned the primary qualifier to win a Grand Slam.
And American Kenin despatched Raducanu packing with a 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory in entrance of a sparse crowd on Grandstand.
Kenin ripped by means of the opening set by profitable six straight video games earlier than Raducanu, who reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon this yr, upped her degree within the second set.
The Briton had missed three break factors of her personal within the first set, however made a transfer in the beginning of the second by taking Kenin’s serve.
Kenin recovered the break straight again however a vital level at 2-2 and 15-15, the place Raducanu hit a backhand winner down the road, modified the momentum of the second set.
It helped her break, with 2020 Australian Open champion Kenin shedding her cool by hitting the ball into the backboard. Two sensible winners noticed Raducanu take a second break and the second set in fashion.
Nevertheless, Raducanu ran out of steam, dropping serve with a double fault within the fifth recreation of the decider as she was damaged and there was no means again from there as Kenin clinically noticed it out.
Having performed only one match since Wimbledon and skipping the Olympics to give attention to her preparation for the US Open, Raducanu will likely be desperately disenchanted to fall on the first hurdle and questions stay over the path of her profession.
In her defence, it was a tricky draw for Raducanu in opposition to the previous world No 4, who confirmed a few of her greatest type.
Carlos Alcaraz was given a scare by Australian qualifier Li Tu earlier than happening to seal a 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory.
The 21-year-old, who gained the US Open in 2022, confirmed no indicators that his motion was restricted by a proper ankle damage he suffered throughout a observe session on Saturday.
He prolonged his Grand Slam match-winning streak to fifteen in opposition to the world No 186 qualifier.
“Obviously, it surprised me a little bit. The first set, it was obvious that he started the match nervous. But after the first set, I think he started to enjoy it and play great tennis,” Alcaraz advised on-court interviewer Nick Kyrgios.
“I was playing great, probably a few mistakes that I had. He is a great player. I’m going to follow him – his results – from now because I’m pretty sure if he is playing at this level, I’m going to see him around very, very soon.”
Up subsequent for Alcaraz is 2021 quarter-finalist Botic van de Zandschulp, who beat Denis Shapovalov 6-4 7-5 6-4.
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