(In Pictures) Emma Raducanu’s Match Halted as US Open Cameraman Takes a Tumble on Court

Emma Raducanu secures first US Open match win since 2021, as she makes light work of Ena Shibahara.

(In Pictures) Emma Raducanu’s Match Halted as US Open Cameraman Takes a Tumble on Court

Emma Raducanu's match was halted (via Sky Sports)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Emma Raducanu earned her first US Open victory since her stunning title run in 2021 with a dominant win over Ena Shibahara. The Brit showed no signs of slowing down, wrapping up the match in just over an hour at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

There was, however, an unusual pause early in the contest. While Raducanu was preparing to serve, a cameraman tripped over an advertising board at courtside, forcing a short delay. She waited calmly while officials and fellow operators rushed to assist him.

Once play resumed, Raducanu quickly regained her rhythm. The brief stoppage proved to be the only disruption in an otherwise smooth performance, as she controlled the match from start to finish.

Her clean hitting made the difference, with only six unforced errors compared to 36 from Shibahara. The world No. 36 looked sharp throughout and left the court with confidence restored as she advanced to the next round.

Emma Raducanu ends US Open barren run

British tennis star Emma Raducanu is back winning matches at the US Open for the first time since her breakthrough title in 2021. Now a more complete player, she showed her progress in a commanding first-round victory. After a stop-start stretch with injuries, Raducanu looks sharper and more consistent in matches she is expected to win.

She defeated Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara with ease, just days after Shibahara had beaten Varvara Gracheva in qualifying. Raducanu, however, controlled the match from the beginning and refused to let her opponent’s recent form dictate the tempo. This event also marks one of her first tournaments under new coach Francisco Roig, who previously worked with Rafael Nadal.

Roig’s influence is already evident in Raducanu’s style and composure. While she didn’t have the best results in Cincinnati, she pushed Aryna Sabalenka hard, showing signs of closing the gap with the game’s elite.

Looking ahead, Raducanu may face Veronika Kudermetova in the next round, with Elena Rybakina lurking deeper in her section of the draw. It is a potentially open path if higher seeds like Jessica Pegula or Jasmine Paolini fall early. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, in the same half, faces her own tough road with possible clashes against Polina Kudermetova and Leylah Fernandez.

Emma Raducanu dominates US Open first round

2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu’s stunning US Open title run in 2021 made her an overnight star, but the years that followed have not been smooth. Early exits in 2022 and 2023 raised doubts about whether her breakthrough was a one-off. Injuries and inconsistency slowed her progress, and many questioned if she could find her footing again on the big stage.

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu (Image via X/Emma Raducanu Fan)

This year, however, Raducanu has shown signs of renewal. Her first-round win over Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara was nothing short of emphatic. She won 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour, sealing her first US Open victory since lifting the trophy four years ago. The dominant performance reminded fans of the composure and firepower that carried her to that historic title as a teenager.

Raducanu’s turnaround has not come overnight. She has been working hard on her fitness and mentality, while also making a bold coaching move by teaming up with Francisco Roig, who previously guided Rafael Nadal. Recent results show progress, including a tight battle against Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, where she proved she could challenge the very best. That effort was a sign her belief is returning.

The atmosphere at Louis Armstrong Stadium reflected her resurgence. Fans roared as she struck clean winners, defended with grit, and showed a newfound calm in pressure moments. More than just a win, it was evidence of Raducanu rediscovering her joy on court. Tennis is richer when she plays with this confidence, and her opening-round display suggested that her journey back to the top may be well underway.

Also Read: (Video) Serena Williams Pokes Fun at Maria Sharapova with Hilarious ‘Grunting’ Remark and Makes Her Emotional During Hall of Fame Speech