Emma Raducanu returned to Flushing Meadows determined and managed tension and nerves while producing a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over qualifier Janice Tjen to reach the US Open third round. Raducanu displayed the best form since her 2021 title, powered by a supreme serving performance that enabled aggressive baseline play. Janice Tjen posed a deceptive challenge despite her No 149 ranking, having turned professional last June after US college tennis and compiling a 95-10 record over 15 months. Tjen pairs a spinny forehand with a varied backhand slice and willingness to come to the net, earning comparisons to Ash Barty. Raducanu's confidence continues to grow with each convincing victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
On her return to Flushing Meadows this year, Emma Raducanu felt the full force of the tension and nerves that accompanied her determination to finally change the narrative surrounding her career and thrive in New York again. However, Raducanu has also never been more prepared for such challenges. She continues to show off the fruits of her recent labour by putting together another devastating performance, demolishing the qualifier Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-1 to return to the third round of the US Open.
The challenge for Raducanu on Wednesday was figuring out a talented but unheralded opponent who few players in the tournament have had the opportunity to watch, let alone compete against. Once again, the British No 1 showed her best form since winning the title here in 2021 here and that confidence is growing with every victory. Another dominant showing on Louis Armstrong Stadium was spearheaded by a supreme serving performance from Raducanu, which allowed her to step inside the baseline and dominate until the end.
This had been billed as a deceptively difficult match-up against an opponent whose ranking of No 149 belies her form and quality. Despite being just six months older than Raducanu, the 23-year-old Tjen only turned professional last June after opting to take the US college route. Starting from the lowest rung of the ITF circuit, and receiving no wildcards, Tjen had compiled a 95-10 record over the past 15 months. From being unranked last June, she now stands at No 149.
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