Tennis

Raducanu conquers first round demons with dominant U.S. Open victory over Shibahara

Former champion Emma Raducanu began the process of banishing her recent U.S. Open struggles with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 first-round victory over Japan's Ena Shibahara on Sunday, securing her first triumph at Flushing Meadows since her fairy-tale championship run in 2021. The British star delivered a near-flawless performance that suggested she may finally be ready to recapture the magic that made her tennis's most unlikely champion four years ago.