The ruthless streak that carried Emma Raducanu to her maiden Grand Slam title has returned. The British star was merciless in her 6-2, 6-1 demolition of qualifier Janice Tjen, a performance that highlighted a killer instinct and propelled her into the third round of the US Open.
There was no let-up from Raducanu. After breaking Tjen’s serve early in the first set, she relentlessly pressed her advantage, offering her opponent no glimmer of hope. Even with a comfortable lead, she maintained her intensity, chasing down every ball and converting break points with clinical efficiency.
This ruthless mentality was particularly evident in how she handled a dangerous, in-form opponent. Rather than allowing Tjen to build confidence, Raducanu smothered her from the start, recognizing the importance of putting a potential giant-killer back in her box early. It was a mature and professional display of competitive fire.
This return of her ruthless edge is perhaps the most promising sign for Raducanu’s chances in the tournament. Talent alone doesn’t win Grand Slams; it requires a mental toughness and a desire to dominate. Raducanu showed she has that in spades, and it makes her a terrifying prospect for future opponents.