WTA: Emma Raducanu bids farewell to Cincinnati's Serena Williams
Emma Raducanu didn't shy away from meeting Serena Williams for the first time. The Brit won the first round of the WTA Tour 1000 tournament in Cincinnati 6: 4 and 6: 0.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Aug 17, 2022, 07:24 am
The penultimate stop on Serena Williams' short farewell tour - and in Cincinnati there will only be one appearance by the 23-time Grand Slam winner. Because compared to the reigning US Open winner Emma Raducanu, Serena had nothing to gain. Raducanu certainly won 6:4 and 6:0. Earlier on Tuesday in Cincinnati, Venus Williams had already played her last match at the classic in the US state of Ohio. Venus lost to Karolina Pliskova 5:7 and 1:6.
Raducanu only allowed himself one mistake in the first set against Williams without needing it and quickly took a 4-1 lead. Serena managed a small comeback, but after losing the first round she had no chance. "I may have seemed calm from start to finish," Raducanu explained after her success. “But I knew how important every single point was. Because if you slack off just a little bit, Serena won't let up. She's such a legend.” The 40-year-old American's big farewell will be in a few days at the US Open in New York.
Osaka already failed, Gauff has to give up
With Maria Sakkari, number four of the tournament was eliminated. Sakkari lost to Caroline Garcia 6-7 (2), 7-6 (6) and 1-6. Also missing is Toronto finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia. The Brazilian lost to Jelena Ostapenko 4:6 and 4:6. Naomi Osaka is not yet back on track: the four-time Grand Slam winner was beaten by Zhang Shuai 4: 6 and 5: 7. Cori Gauff had to give up against Marie Bouzkova.
Tournament favorite Iga Swiatek starts playing today. Swiatek meets Sloane Stephens, who had no problems opening with Alizé Cornet.