Andy Roddick suggests Emma Raducanu may be having that 2021 US Open feeling right now as the American tennis legend is impressed by the Briton's current level at Flushing Meadows.
In 2021, Raducanu came to the US Open as a pro tennis player for the first time in her career. Initially, the British tennis player's goal was just to make it past the qualifying event and make her main draw debut. Not only that she reached the main draw, but she ended up winning the title and became the first-ever male or female player to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier. The Briton, who was 18 at the time, didn't drop a single set en route to making it all the way in New York.
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But after a historic run in 2021, Raducanu picked upfirst-round exits in New York2022 and 2024, while she didn't play in 2023. After a few poor runs at Flushing Meadows, the 22-year-old is picking up steam at this year's tournament after making light work of Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2 and also seeing off Janice Tjen 6-2 6-1.
Roddick on Raducanu's form at this year's US Open: It's feeling a lot like 2021
Emma Raducanu its feeling a lot like 2021. She had not won a match at the US Open since she won the tournament as a qualifier. Now she is through to the third round and she has spent two hours and two minutes on court. She didnt spend much time on court when we won the title and shes looking really good," the 2003 US Open champion said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
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In the next round, Raducanu plays against Elena Rybakina - which is all but an easy matchup. But if the 36th-ranked Briton can repeat her level from the first two rounds, there is no doubt that she will have a good chance of upsetting Rybakina.
When asked about facing Raducanu in the US Open third round, Rybakina showed her respect for the Briton by acknowledging that she won the title there in the past and remarking that it wouldn't be easy to win the match.
