US Open reigning champion Emma Raducanu faced Serena Williams in the opening round of the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday. It was the first meeting between the two and Raducanu was able to come out on top after winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-0.
The Briton was able to dominate Serena, who recently announced that she will be retiring from the game after the US Open. The Brit won the first set in 39 minutes and wrapped up the second set in 26 minutes. Raducanu showered praise on the legendary player and said it was a true honor to share the court with Williams.
“I’m so grateful for the experience to be able to play her and for our careers to have crossed over, and everything she has achieved is so inspirational and it was a true honour to share the court with her,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview after the win.
Raducanu admitted that she was nervous while facing the 23-time Grand Slam champion from the first point to the last.
“To be honest I was nervous from the first point to the last point because I know what a champion she is, she can come back from any situation and I’m just so pleased I could keep my composure,” she said.
The teenager also thanked the crowd for the amazing support throughout the game.
“I mean the atmosphere tonight was amazing and to play with Serena, I mean for sure even when you guys were cheering for her I was all for it,” she said, adding, “Well, I think we all need to just honor Serena and her amazing career.”
On the other hand, Serena Williams didn’t give an on-court interview. Williams had agreed to do the same in the National Bank Open after her second-round loss against Belinda Bencic.
Raducanu will next face Victoria Azarenka in the second round of Cincinnati Masters.
