Emma Raducanu defeated Serena Williams in the first round of the 2022 Cincinnati Masters 6-4, 6-0 in an hour and 5 minutes.
It was a first meeting of the current world number 13 and the 23-time Grand Slam champion and the 2021 US Open winner handled the match better. While Emma Raducanu will try to reach her best form ahead of the fourth Grand Slam of the season, Serena Williams will prepare for her farewell in front of the crowd in the Flushing Meadows.
"I think from the beginning to the end, I maybe looked calm, but I just knew how important every single point was, because you let up a little bit and she's going to be all over you," Raducanu told reporters. "She's just such a legend."
"I think we all need to just honor Serena and her amazing career," Raducanu told the crowd after the match. "I'm so grateful for the experience of being able to play her and for our careers to cross over. Everything that she's achieved is so inspirational and it was a true honor to share the court with her."
"I think it's important to really cherish the wins, because I think that if anything, this year has taught me that the wins don't come by easily. No matter what win that is, it means a lot to any athlete, and I definitely am going to take it in, be really proud of myself."
"But it is a fast turnover tomorrow, and I probably have got 12 hours until I'm back on site. I'm playing another Slam champion tomorrow, so it's obviously going to be really difficult. Just going to try to prepare as best as possible."
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