Emma Raducanu got her 2025 US Open campaign off to a great start with a controlled performance against Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara.
Returning to the scene of her magical 2021 triumph, Raducanu saw off her 27-year-old opponent 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes.
It marked Raducanu’s first win at Flushing Meadows since she went all the way to claim the title four years ago.
During that run, the 22-year-old Briton wore a distinctive outfit on court, something she would return to as she got her campaign underway on Monday.
Emma Raducanu hasn’t dropped a set when wearing red at the US Open
In her run to the 2021 crown, Raducanu wore red throughout her time on court in New York.
Marching to her maiden Grand Slam title, it meant that she went 7-0 while wearing that colour.
Incredibly, such was the then-18-year-old’s dominance at that tournament, she won each of those seven matches without dropping a set.
Donning a red outfit in her opener at this year’s US Open, Raducanu extended that unusual record, claiming her eighth win without defeat and without dropping a set.
Technically, if the three qualifiers Raducanu played in 2021 are taken into account as well, that record is now 11-0 in matches and 22-0 in sets at the US Open.
Emma Raducanu to face another qualifier in the second round of the US Open
Raducanu’s reward for her opening-round win is a second-round tie against Indonesian Janice Tjen.
Another qualifier, 23-year-old Tjen upset 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in round one.
In doing so, Tjen earned the first singles win for an Indonesian player at a Grand Slam in 22 years.
Tjen is therefore not to be underestimated by Raducanu. That being said, if she comes out on court wearing red again, history shows us that the match might end up being a formality.