Emma Raducanu continued her blistering start to the US Open with another emphatic victory, signaling to the rest of the field that she is a genuine contender once more. Following her demolition of Ena Shibahara, Raducanu produced a similarly ruthless performance to crush qualifier Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-1 and book her spot in the third round for the first time since she lifted the trophy.
Playing under the lights of Louis Armstrong Stadium, the British star was simply unstoppable. She brought a high level of intensity from the very first point and never let up, suffocating Tjen with deep, powerful shots and an almost flawless serve. The confidence flowing through Raducanu was palpable as she stepped inside the baseline, dictating play and ending points with authority.
The opponent was far from a pushover. Janice Tjen, a recent professional, has been one of the most in-form players on the lower-tier circuits and possesses a tricky, all-court game. Her first-round upset of a seeded player made this a potentially difficult encounter. However, Raducanu met the challenge head-on, treating the match with full focus and executing her aggressive game plan perfectly.
After two swift, dominant victories, the narrative surrounding Raducanu has shifted from hope to expectation. She has shown that her work on developing a more powerful, proactive game is paying dividends. The true test of this progress is yet to come, with a likely third-round clash against a formidable opponent like Elena Rybakina looming, but for now, Raducanu is playing with an unstoppable momentum.