Four years after her fairy-tale triumph, Emma Raducanu is once again playing like she owns the courts of Flushing Meadows. Overcoming the immense pressure that accompanied her return, Raducanu has now secured two emphatic victories, the latest being a demolition of qualifier Janice Tjen that has propelled her into the third round and sent a clear message to the rest of the draw.
The British star was in breathtaking form, dispatching Tjen 6-2, 6-1 in a match where her self-belief was as potent as her groundstrokes. From the outset, Raducanu commanded the court, her serve acting as a powerful foundation. This allowed her to step inside the baseline, take the ball early, and smother Tjen with relentless, aggressive play, a clear sign that her confidence is surging with every point won.
Raducanu’s opponent was a tricky, in-form player whose ranking at No. 149 belied her recent success and quality. Tjen, with her potent forehand and varied backhand slice, had already proven her mettle by upsetting a seeded player in the first round. However, she had no answer for the sheer pace and proactive style of a Raducanu who seemed determined to control every rally from start to finish.
With this dominant showing, Raducanu has proven she is more than ready for the challenges ahead. She spoke of her satisfaction in successfully “dictating the play” against a dangerous opponent. Now, she looks ahead to a much sterner test in the third round, where her rekindled confidence and aggressive game will be pitted against either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or another tough qualifier.
The Queen of Queens Returns: Confident Raducanu Crushes Tjen
18