Former champion Raducanu out in US Open first round

Former champion Emma Raducanu is retired of nan US Open aft losing a "rollercoaster" first-round lucifer to Sofia Kenin.

Britain's Raducanu was searching for her first triumph successful New York since unexpectedly winning nan title successful 2021 arsenic a teenage qualifier.

She mislaid successful nan first information nan pursuing twelvemonth and missed nan 2023 tourney arsenic she recovered from wrist and ankle operations.

Raducanu's hold for different triumph astatine Flushing Meadows continues aft she mislaid 6-1 3-6 6-4 to chap Grand Slam champion Kenin.

Kenin, who won nan Australian Open successful 2020, was connected nan backmost ft early successful nan deciding group but it was Raducanu who faltered, dropping service astatine 2-2 earlier Kenin saw retired victory.

"It was a rollercoaster match," Kenin said afterwards.

"Emma is specified a reliable subordinate and she played immoderate awesome tennis. I'm conscionable ace happy to person won."

Like Raducanu, Kenin has struggled for shape since winning her maiden awesome successful Melbourne and reaching nan last of nan French Open successful nan aforesaid year.

She will look either title contender Jessica Pegula aliases Shelby Rogers successful an all-American 2nd information meeting.

After fending disconnected 2 break points successful nan first game, Raducanu's service was perpetually nether unit from Kenin, who reeled disconnected 5 games successful a statement to return nan opening set.

Raducanu made a connection by breaking early successful nan 2nd pinch a bid of bruising forehand winners, but Kenin responded instantly to level astatine 1-1.

As nan British number 2 grew into nan match, Kenin's frustrations came to nan fore and she angrily swiped a shot distant correct earlier Raducanu collapsed for a 3-2 lead.

Raducanu struck again astatine 5-3 to unit a decider and made a assured commencement to nan 3rd group while her opponent's unforced correction count mounted.

Yet it was nan American who made nan first breakthrough and, aft being conscionable 2 points distant from triumph connected Raducanu's serve, Kenin closed retired nan triumph connected her first lucifer point.

"It was ace adjacent - nan 3rd set, I consciousness for illustration it could person gone either way. I tried to grip my nerves," Kenin said.