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Emma Raducanu is set to make her much-anticipated return to the US Open, facing a challenging first-round match against fellow Grand Slam winner Sofia Kenin. This marks Raducanu’s first appearance at Flushing Meadows in two years, following her unforgettable victory as a teenage qualifier in 2021.
Raducanu, who became the first British woman in 44 years to win a major singles title with her 2021 triumph, has had a mixed journey since. She lost in the first round of the 2022 US Open and was forced to sit out last year’s tournament due to wrist and ankle surgeries. Now, the 21-year-old faces a potentially tricky encounter against Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion and French Open finalist.
In other matchups, British women’s number one and 31st seed Katie Boulter will start her campaign against a qualifier yet to be determined. Harriet Dart, another British hopeful, faces Chloe Paquet of France.
On the men’s side, Jack Draper is set to take on China’s Zhang Zhizhen, with a potential third-round clash against world number one Carlos Alcaraz looming. Dan Evans, the only other British man to secure direct entry into the main draw, has drawn a tough opener against 23rd seed Karen Khachanov of Russia.
The US Open, running from August 26 to September 8, will also feature several other high-profile matches. Novak Djokovic, in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title, begins his defense against a qualifier, while women’s champion Coco Gauff faces France’s Varvara Gracheva.
Notably, the men’s draw sees several big names grouped together, including Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Daniil Medvedev, all in the same half. Sinner, who was cleared earlier this week after twice testing positive for a banned substance in March, could meet Medvedev in the quarter-finals, setting up a possible clash with Alcaraz in the semi-finals. The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has been one to watch on the ATP Tour, with their five-hour quarter-final epic in New York last year standing out as a highlight.
In the women’s tournament, top seed Iga Swiatek and in-form Aryna Sabalenka both open against qualifiers. A potential semi-final rematch between Sabalenka and Gauff, last year’s finalists, is on the cards, though Gauff could first face Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and compatriot Emma Navarro.
Raducanu’s path in the tournament does not get any easier if she advances past Kenin. She would face sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the second round, a formidable opponent who recently clinched the Canadian Open title.
