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The Independent UK

Sport

Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu v Ena Shibahara live: US Open result as British No 1 gets unexpected boost after 62-minute thrashing

Emma Raducanu Ena Shibahara US Open Jack Draper Mike Jones the US Open New York

Emma Raducanu claimed her first win at the US Open since winning the title in 2021 as she breezed past qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2 in just 62 minutes - the fastest win of her grand slam career.

After famously winning the US Open as an 18-year-old qualifier four years ago, Raducanu has twice crashed out in the opening round - losing to Alize Cornet in 2022 and Sofia Kenin in 2024.

But Raducanu said she is returning to the US Open in a better place, having enjoyed a consistent run on the court and showing some decent form ahead of the final grand slam of the year.

The British No 1 ultimately was not required to get out of second gear to dismiss the qualifier Shibahara, ranked 130th in the world, but she took an aggressive return position and served well - to the approval of her new coach Francisco Roig.

Raducanu was expected to face the 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round but she will instead play the Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen, with the World No 147 winning 6-4 4-6 6-4 to claim her first ever win at a grand slam main draw.

Follow live score updates from the US Open below:

Raducanu v Shibahara live: US Open latest score and updates

Emma Raducanu begins US Open campaign against qualifier Ena Shibahara
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Raducanu races through in just 62 minutes, 6-1 6-2
Raducanu claims first win at tournament since the 2021 final
Raducanu to play qualifier Janice Tjen, who stunned 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova
British No.1 says US Open is her 'happy place' again after improved form

UPSET ALERT! Janice Tjen knocks out Veronika Kudermetova

Sunday 24 August 2025 20:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Well, well. We expected Emma Raducanu’s opponent to be the 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova, but the recent Cincinnati Open semi-finalist is out in the first round!

Kudermetova has been beaten by the Indonesian player Janice Tjen, who has claimed her first ever grand slam main draw win, 6-4 4-6 6-4.

Tjen has come through qualifying - where she did not drop a set - and has won a lot of matches on the ITF circuit this year.

But it’s undoubtedly a boost for Raducanu to avoid a seeded opponent in the second round.

Janice Tjen, of Indonesia, has come through qualifying to reach the second round (AP)

Raducanu has in-form players in her section of US Open draw

Sunday 24 August 2025 18:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu’s potential round-two opponent, the 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova, reached the semi-finals of the recent Cincinnati Open tournament, where she lost to Jasmine Paolini.

While Raducanu’s possible third-round opponent, in former Wimbledon champion Rybakina, defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champion Iga Swiatek.

But this was a good start.

Emma Raducanu reveals why rapid US Open win was ‘extra special’

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:55 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu claimed her first win at the US Open since winning the title in 2021 as she breezed past qualifier Ena Shibahara in just 62 minutes.

The British No 1 ultimately was not required to get out of second gear to dismiss the qualifier Shibahara 6-1 6-2, in what was the fastest win of her grand slam career, but she took an aggressive return position and served well - to the approval of her new coach Francisco Roig.

Emma Raducanu reveals why rapid US Open win was ‘extra special’

Stats: Emma Raducanu beats Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Complete domination from Raducanu today. Just six unforced errors, to Shibahara’s 36...

Aces: Raducanu 2-0 Shibahara

Double faults: Raducanu 0-5 Shibahara

First Serve % In: Raducanu, 3/45 (73%); Shibahara, 26/42 (62%)

Win % on 1st Serve: Raducanu, 27/33 (82%); Shibahara, 15/26 (58%)

Win % on 2nd Serve: Raducanu, 8/12 (67%); Shibahara 5/16 (31%)

Break Points Won: Raducanu, 4/7 (57%); Shibahara, 0/1 (0%)

Receiving Points Won: Raducanu, 22/42 (52%); Shibahara, 10/45 (22%)

Winners: Raducanu 7-12 Shibahara

Unforced Errors: Raducanu 6-36 Shibahara

Total Points Won: Raducanu 57-30 Shibahara

More from Emma Raducanu after reaching US Open second round

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:29 , Jamie Braidwood

“I'm very happy. I’ve got amazing people in my corner over there, so I want to thank them and it makes every day the work feel a lot more enjoyable, pleasurable.

“I see the progress that I'm making on the practice court and it might not come straight away, but I know over time I'm just racking up good days building and I feel like it has to go somewhere.”

Raducanu needed just 62 minutes to reach the US Open second round (AP)

Emma Raducanu on 'extra special' US Open win over Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu is the first player through to the US Open second round, on the opening day. It’s just gone past 12pm in New York so Raducanu can enjoy the rest of her Sunday before playing again on Tuesday.

“Of course I'm very, very pleased to have won that match. It's my first win here since 2021, so it's extra special, First round's are always difficult and especially at a slam,” she said.

“I'm just so happy with the way I came through that and playing Ena. She's really tricky.

“She hit so many balls on the baseline that I was not expecting to just dip and she obviously came through qualifying, you feel like you have a bit of an advantage, you're playing on the surface and you know what it feels like,

“So I'm just very pleased with how I managed myself, managed my game through that match.”

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Emma Raducanu 6-1 6-2 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:21 , Jamie Braidwood

The tests will only get tougher from here and Raducanu did not really have to get out of second gear to beat the qualifier, but there were plenty of signs that the British No 1 will be able to take a more carefree and relaxed approach into her US Open campaign.

She spoke of being in her “happy place” again after struggling on her return in New York in 2022 and 2024, where she lost in the first round. Incredibly, this win is Raducanu’s first at the tournament since the 2021 final against Leylah Fernandez.

She’s speaking on court now.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Emma Raducanu 6-1 6-2 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:19 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s it! Just the 62 minutes required for Emma Raducanu to dismiss Ena Shibahara, who blasts wide on match point.

Raducanu’s first win at the US Open in four years!

*Emma Raducanu 6-1 5-2 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:16 , Jamie Braidwood

We’ve reached an hour. But Raducanu is very closed to a place in the second round as Shibahara blasts wide on the opening point.

*Emma Raducanu 6-1 5-2 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Can Raducanu beat the hour-mark? Shibahara is determined to make Raducanu serve it out. She catches the line with a forehand winner and then plays another behind Raducanu.

She pumps her fist as she finds an ace up the middle.

Emma Raducanu 6-1 5-1 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:11 , Jamie Braidwood

The longest service game Raducanu has played - as Shibahara gets to 30-40 and then deuce - but the qualifier can’t cut out the unforced errors. She’s now up to 31.

Decent hold from Raducanu, though, showing great speed to reach an angled Shibahara volley on deuce.

One game away.

*Emma Raducanu 6-1 4-1 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Shibahara scorches a forehand winner to get on the board in the second set. it’s been a tough day for the 27-year-old, who had come through qualifying to book a place in the US Open main draw but has been completely out of her depth.

Emma Raducanu 6-1 4-0 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 17:00 , Jamie Braidwood

An ace for Raducanu to claim her second love-hold of the set. She is not racing around and has won eight points in a row on serve!

BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 6-1 3-0 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:56 , Jamie Braidwood

I think we can pencil Raducanu’s name in the second round. She takes the double-break with another focused return against the Shibahara second-serve, with the qualifier then volleying into the net.

There’s a chance Raducanu gets this done within the hour.

Emma Raducanu 6-1 2-0 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:53 , Jamie Braidwood

“Good serve” shouts Raducanu’s mentor Jane O'Donoghue as she claims a love-hold.

Very comfortable again for Raducanu as she backs up the opening break.

BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 6-1 1-0 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:49 , Jamie Braidwood

A horrid start to the second set from Shibahara. A double fault is followed by another error and gives Raducanu two break points.

Shibahara is able to save the first two but Raducanu keeps the pressure up on the returns and the qualifier floats a forehand long on the fourth.

Raducanu takes charge and pumps her fist as she takes the opening break.

*Denotes next server

FIRSET SET! Emma Raducanu 6-1 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu is leading the way in most of the statistics. A couple that stand out so far is her first-serve % is 78, to Shibahara’s 59. Her second-serve is being eaten up too.

Shibahara has a 5-17 winners-unforced errors ratio, which is giving Raducanu a lot of points. Raducanu is 5-4 so is being made to do too much more than staying solid.

A good start for the British No 1.

FIRSET SET! Emma Raducanu 6-1 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu’s found a high level of serving so far and mixes up a baseline rally with a slice that catches out Shibahara and draws the error.

Set point: Raducanu finds the first serve, Shibahara catches the net-cord but Raducanu races to meet it.

There’s the smash! An emphatic way to take the set, 6-1 in a little under 30 mins.

*Emma Raducanu 5-1 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:40 , Jamie Braidwood

A yell from Shibahara as she holds off the aggressive Raducanu return to get on the board at last.

She will need a lot more of that to make this match competitive, but it’s a start. Raducanu will serve for the set next.

Emma Raducanu 5-0 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu is rolling through the games. She’s not having to do too much to win points against Shibahara, just keeping the ball in play with some controlled direction and striking.

The British No 1 moves a game away from the opening set.

BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 4-0 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu’s return has always been a strength and she finds an excellent angle on the forehand to take charge.

She brings up break-points with a wonderful forehand winner crosscourt. Shibahara nets and Raducanu gets the double-break.

A nice string of points there from Raducanu. Very clean hitting. Shibahara, it should be said, is yet to pose much of a challenge.

Emma Raducanu 3-0 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:28 , Jamie Braidwood

I think that’s Francisco Roig we can hear saying “bravo, bravo” as Raducanu looks to great through a sticky service game.

Shibahara is able to find some stronger forehands when Raducanu leaves anything short, and gets to deuce.

Remarkably, Shibahara misses what was perhaps the widest forehand error I’ve ever seen - putting it into the crowd behind the umpire’s chair.

Hold for Raducanu.

BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 2-0 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Shibahara’s singles ranking is outside the top-100 and is higher for doubles.

The 27-year-old has some struggles on some on back-to-back double faults gives Raducanu an early break point.

Raducanu creeps inside the baseline to look at the second serve. And a weak forehand from Shibahara into the net gives Raducanu the break!

Perfect start.

Emma Raducanu 1-0 Ena Shibahara*

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:17 , Jamie Braidwood

An ace for Raducanu to start! It sets the tone for a very confident opening love-hold.

She has played Ena Shibahara once before, winning 6-4 6-1 on grass in Nottingham shortly before Wimbledon in 2024.

*Emma Raducanu 0-0 Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu wins the toss and elects to serve to start the US Open.

Raducanu’s US Open record in the main draw is 7-2.

All seven wins came in 2021, on her debut.

She lost in 2022 and then in 2024, skipping 2023 through injury.

*denotes next server

Emma Raducanu v Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Here we go! Raducanu and Shibahara are introduced and there’s a loud reception for the 2021 champion. Incredibly, Raducanu’s last win at the US Open was that final against Leylah Fernandez, after losing in the first round in 2022 and 2024.

Raducanu was very honest about the difficult she had returning as the defending champion in 2022, where she lost to Alize Cornet, and has explained how differently she feels ahead of this year’s tournament.

“I really struggled when I came back in 2022,” Raducanu said. “I didn't enjoy coming back here. I think now is the first time that I feel like I can come back to the US Open and really enjoy the memories that I made here and be proud of that and see it as a happy place”

Emma Raducanu v Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 16:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu and Shibahara will be walking out onto the Louis Armstrong Stadium any moment now. You can sense the excitement as the US Open is about to begin and Raducanu is among the first players to be getting underway on this opening day.

Last year’s US Open was incredibly hot and humid but the conditions are expected to be more comfortable for the players over the first few days.

Raducanu on returning to her 'happy place'

Sunday 24 August 2025 15:42 , Mike Jones

Emma Raducanu is finally able to see Flushing Meadows as a “happy place” four years after her US Open victory.

The 22-year-old achieved one of the great modern sporting triumphs by winning the title as a qualifier in 2021 but in the three years since she has not managed to win a single match there.

“I really struggled when I came back in 2022,” said Raducanu. “I didn’t enjoy coming back here.

“I think now is the first time that I feel like I can come back to the US Open and really enjoy the memories that I made here and be proud of that and see it as a happy place.”

The sadness of a fading tennis generation leaves US Open question

Sunday 24 August 2025 15:36 , Jamie Braidwood

There is something in the air in New York around the time of the US Open that can lead to opportunity.

While the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was often apparent during the first three grand slam tournaments of a season, in later years the fourth and final one was where a window could sometimes open up.

Marin Cilic’s victory over Kei Nishikori in the 2017 US Open final is a prominent example of a rare breakthrough in the era of the “Big Three”, as was Dominic Thiem’s win over Alexander Zverev in 2020.

The sadness of a fading tennis generation leaves US Open question

The danger for Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper in US Open draw

Sunday 24 August 2025 15:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper will both play qualifiers in the first round of the US Open - then it will get tougher.

Raducanu potentially faces ninth seed Elena Rybakina in the third round, while Jack Draper, who arrives as fifth seed, may need to play defending champion Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, a round earlier than last year when the World No 1 triumphed in their semi-final in New York.

As usual, the draw for the women’s and men’s singles has thrown up plenty of talking points ahead of the start of the final grand slam of the season on Sunday.

The danger for Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper in US Open draw

Making sense of Aryna Sabalenka’s season and her curious position before US Open

Sunday 24 August 2025 14:54 , Jamie Braidwood

After Aryna Sabalenka’s Wimbledon semi-final defeat to Amanda Anisimova last month, the world No 1 walked into the media theatre determined not to make the same mistake. Sabalenka laughed as she sat down, telling the room: “You’re not going to see that Roland Garros press conference, so anyone who was waiting for that, you can leave right now!”

Sabalenka arrives at the US Open without winning a grand slam title this season, the same as 124 other players in the women’s singles draw, the majority of whom would trade their results for Sabalenka’s in an instant.

Making sense of Aryna Sabalenka’s season and her curious position before US Open

Will this be Venus Williams' last US Open appearance?

Sunday 24 August 2025 14:48 , Mike Jones

It remains to be seen whether this will be Venus Williams’ final appearance in the draw here, but she has no intention of hanging up her racket any time soon.

“I think I’ll always play tennis,” she said. “It’s in my DNA. So it doesn’t matter if it’s now or 30 years from now, God willing, I’ll be here, we’ll all be here, we’ll all be hitting balls.

“Maybe I’ll come back to watch. Maybe I’ll be saying I did it better, and it won’t be true.

“But, in any case, tennis will always be one of the most important parts of my life.”

‘I want to be my best’

Sunday 24 August 2025 14:42 , Mike Jones

Venus Williams said she is more excited than ever to play at the US Open ahead of her return to grand slam tennis.

The American celebrated her 45th birthday in June and had not played at a major tournament since Flushing Meadows two years ago.

“Super thrilling to be back,” said Williams, who will take on 11th seed Karolina Muchova on Monday.

“It does not get old, it just gets more exciting. And I’m looking forward to Monday night.

“I want to be my best and that’s the expectation I have for myself, to get the best out of me, and that’s all any player can ask for.

“I haven’t played as much as the other players, so it’s a different challenge when you’re dealing with that. So I’m just trying to have fun, stay relaxed, and be my personal best.”

Venus Williams hits a forehand at Flushing Meadows (Yuki Iwamura/AP) (AP)

Emma Raducanu vs Ena Shibahara

Sunday 24 August 2025 14:06 , Mike Jones

Emma Raducanu goes in search of her first US Open win since famously winning the title as an 18-year-old qualifier four years ago.

The British No 1 will play qualifier Ena Shibahara, ranked 130th in the world, in her first-round match in New York.

Raducanu has yet to get through the opening round at the US Open in two attempts since her sensational 2021 triumph.

But she has shown decent form coming into the final grand slam of the year, narrowly missing out on a seeded spot for the draw, and reached the third round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season.