A renaissance is underway for Emma Raducanu at the very place where her career exploded onto the world stage. The British No. 1 continued her impressive resurgence with a devastating 6-2, 6-1 victory over Janice Tjen, moving into the US Open third round with a performance that echoed the brilliance of her 2021 championship run.
Gone is the tentative player who has struggled with pressure and form; in her place is a confident and commanding athlete playing with freedom and purpose. Against Tjen, Raducanu was a whirlwind of controlled aggression. Her serve was a potent weapon, and she used it to set up punishing groundstrokes that left her opponent scrambling. She played proactive tennis, dictating points from inside the baseline.
The victory was particularly impressive given the quality of her opponent. Janice Tjen is a rising star with a unique, slice-heavy game and a remarkable winning record since turning professional. She was a dangerous, unheralded foe, but Raducanu treated her with the focus of a seasoned champion, neutralizing her strengths and exploiting every opportunity with clinical precision.
This return to form is the result of a conscious effort to add more firepower to her game, to rely less on defense and more on her own shot-making. Two matches in, the results are undeniable. While tougher tests await, starting with a potential third-round meeting with Elena Rybakina, Raducanu’s US Open renaissance is proving to be a captivating story.