Britain’s Emma Raducanu said her victory over 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams at the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday has given her confidence a boost just ahead of her US Open title defence. Teenager Raducanu, who has not won a tournament since capturing last year’s title at Flushing Meadows as a 150th-ranked qualifier, put in a dominant display against Serena, wrapping up a 6-4, 6-0 win in just over an hour.
Raducanu, 19, described being drawn against Serena as a “gift”. “The chances to play her may be one of the last opportunities I get to play her,” she said.
“You have to cherish the moment, and you’re going to have this memory for the rest of your career.” “Playing Serena and managing to win, I’m obviously really proud of myself, and it does give me confidence,” she told reporters.
Osaka, Gauff out
Naomi Osaka’s US Open preparations suffered another setback as the former world No.1 was swept aside 6-4, 7-5 by China’s Zhang Shuai while American Coco Gauff retired with an ankle injury. Teenager Gauff rolled her left ankle late in the first set in her match against qualifier Marie Bouzkova and retired while trailing 7-5, 1-0. Karolina Pliskova eased past Venus Williams 7-5, 6-1.
