In a result that has sent shockwaves through the world of tennis, Britain's Emma Raducanu has been unceremoniously dumped out of the US Open in the first round. The defending champion, who captured the nation's heart with her fairytale run to the title just a year ago, fell in a dramatic three-set battle to Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur.
The atmosphere on Court 17 was a far cry from the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium where Raducanu triumphed in 2021. The 19-year-old Brit appeared out of sorts from the outset, ultimately succumbing to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 defeat against the world No. 124.
A Stunning Upset on the Grand Slam Stage
Snigur, a former Wimbledon junior champion playing in her first-ever main draw match at a major, played with a freedom and fearlessness that completely unnerved the reigning champion. Raducanu's game was plagued by uncharacteristic errors, with her serve and groundstrokes deserting her at crucial moments.
The match statistics made for grim reading for the Raducanu camp. A high number of unforced errors proved to be her ultimate undoing against an opponent who seized her opportunity with both hands.
The Weight of Expectation
This early exit marks a devastating blow for the young star, whose meteoric rise to global fame has been followed by a challenging first full season on the WTA Tour. The pressure of defending the title and a recent string of injury niggles appeared to be significant factors in her performance.
The defeat will see Raducanu plummet down the world rankings, raising serious questions about her trajectory and the immense pressure shouldered by young athletes in the modern game.
For Daria Snigur, this victory represents the pinnacle of her career so far. The emotional Ukrainian fell to her knees in disbelief after converting her match point, securing a win that will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in recent US Open history.
