Emma Raducanu has plenty in common with her US Open opponent, Sofia Kenin. Both players came from nowhere to win their first Grand Slam, but have struggled to live up to the hype in the years that have followed.
But one thing they don’t share is a fiery temper. Back in May, Kenin was taking part in an Italian Open match when it began to drizzle with rain. The 25-year-old wanted the contest called off, but officials told her she had to continue.
Enraged, Kenin unleashed a torrent of expletives. First, she shouted “f***ing dumb ass people” at the umpire after being told the court was “not unplayable”. Then, seconds later, she yelled “f*** you” at the crowd after being booed.
The Russian-born American’s complaints were ultimately vindicated as, a couple of points later, the match was stopped due to rain. When play resumed, she recovered from her outburst to win in straight sets.
Her US Open clash with Raducanu, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at around 11pm (UK time), will be her very first against the Brit. Like Raducanu, Kenin has generally struggled since clinching a shock Grand Slam victory.
Her sole triumph came back in 2020 at the Australian Open, where she beat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in three sets in the final. She reached the final of the French Open five months later, but hasn’t managed to get beyond the fourth round of a major since.
It’s been a similar story for Raducanu. The 21-year-old stormed to a surprise victory at Flushing Meadows back in 2021, having only taken part in one other Grand Slam beforehand.
But just like Kenin, the Canadian-born Brit hasn’t managed to get further than the fourth round at a major since then. Their clash in New York is arguably the pick of the first round matches, and the victory will move on to a second round tie against either Shelby Rogers or World No. 6 Jessica Pegula.
After years of struggles with form and injuries, things finally appear to be on the up for Raducanu. She reached the semi-finals of the Nottingham Open back in June, and beat Pegula – her first victory over a top 10 player – at the Eastbourne International a few weeks later.
At Wimbledon she made it beyond the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her US Open triumph three years ago, and recorded her second win over a top 10 player (Maria Sakkari) in the third round. Her form at SW19 also pushed her back into the top 100.
Kenin, meanwhile, was knocked out in the first round of both Wimbledon and the Australian Open this year, with her only victories at a major in 2024 coming at the French Open, where she reached the third round.
