EMMA RADUCANU breezed into the US Open second round and then admitted: I feel right at home.
The 18-year-old looked a class apart in her main draw debut at Flushing Meadows as she dismantled Swiss world No128 Stefanie Voegele 6-2 6-3.
It was a mature display from the young Brit who only wobbled when serving for the match in what is her first overseas major after wowing Wimbledon this summer.
Raducanu – who lit up this summer’s Wimbledon – wasted six match points as Voegele hung around but finally took her chance at the seventh attempt.
The Brit sensation will now face Shaui Zhang of China, the world No49, who beat her in straight sets at the start of August in San Jose.
Kent ace Raducanu, however, is determined to keep her magical 2021 going by improving on her run to the fourth round at SW19 here in the Big Apple.
Raducanu said: “I think everyone could tell I was getting a bit shaky in the last game but I got there in the end and I was so relieved.
“The fans made me feel so welcome and so at home so I’m really appreciative.
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“I’ve been playing on the hard courts in the States so I’m used to the heat and humidity.”
After a shaky start from both players, Raducanu quickly found her groove and rattled off six games on the spin to take firm control of the match.
Court 17 was almost packed by the end and those inside loved seeing her crash home some blistering forehand winners before wrapping up an excellent victory in 78 minutes.
Raducanu, who came through qualifying in New York and is currently ranked No150, added: “I feel really good physically so I’m just excited to see how far I can go.
“I’m extremely pleased. I got broken early in both sets but managed to get a few returns clean out of the middle of the frame, sort of by luck and by skill, so I’ll take it and run with it.”
Former British No1 Laura Robson is amazed at just how well Raducanu is doing right now.
Robson said: “Emma has come such a long way in the last few months.
“Yes there was a bit of a wobble in the last game but she closed it out on her serve.
“I’m very interested to see what she’s potentially going to change in round two.
“Even in the last few weeks she’s improved so much.”
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