British star Emma Raducanu likened to Andy Murray after latest US Open win

Emma Raducanu: Commentators praise 'extraordinary' win

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Emma Raducanu continued her impressive run at the US Open with a 6-2 6-4 win over Zhang Shuai. The British sensation announced herself at Wimbledon earlier this year, storming to the fourth round of her maiden Grand Slam, and has now backed it up by making it to the third round in Flushing Meadows as a qualifier. As the 18-year-old continues to impress, she has earned herself a comparison with none other than Andy Murray.

Raducanu is yet to drop a set at the US Open throughout her qualifying and main draw matches.

The world No 150 dispatched lucky loser Stefanie Voegele 6-2 6-3 in her opening round, and scored another convincing win over top 50 player Zhang on Thursday (September 2).

The pair had faced off just weeks ago in San Jose, in what was Raducanu’s first match since her fairytale Wimbledon run ended a she retired with breathing difficulties in the round of 16.

World No 49 Zhang got the better of the Bromley teenager last month, beating her 6-3 6-2 in the opening round, but Raducanu felt confident that she had learned from her previous loss and developed her game since.

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As well as qualifying for her first-ever US Open, the Brit also made her maiden tour-level final at the Chicago Challenger less than two weeks ago, with the run taking her to the world’s top 150.

She is now up to around No 116 in the live rankings, and would secure her debut into the top 100 if she can overcome in-form Sara Sorribes Tormo in the next round.

While making a name for herself and earning a new career-best ranking, Raducanu has also drawn comparisons to some hugely successful players.

Annabel Croft, who is part of Prime Video’s US Open coverage, was impressed with the teenager’s presence and mentality on court against Zhang, and noted that her competitive streak was reminiscent of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.

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“It’s very Murray like,” the former British No 1 said, speaking on Raducanu’s attitude in matches.

“It’s like she’s picked up a lot of what he brought to the court in terms of the competitive element when someone doesn’t want to give an inch.

“When somebody has got that competitive spirit down the other end, you can just feel it and it’s all around.”

It’s not the first time experts have made big claims about the talented 18-year-old either – Annabel also recently told Express Sport that she believes the young British star can make the world’s top 50 one day, and would be able to push on from there with the right mentality and work ethic.

Meanwhile, 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli predicted Raducanu could be a top 20 player and fulfil the potential that some of her British predecessors couldn’t.

Also on Prime Video yesterday, former world No 5-turned-pundit Daniela Hantuchova said the 18-year-old was ‘better’ than another teenage sensation, Coco Gauff.

Tipping her to win a Major title and reach the upper echelons of the game in the future, she said: “Emma has it all, whatever it takes to become not only a top-ten player but I believe also a Grand Slam champion.

“There is not one part of her game where I would say ‘This needs to improve.’ Unlike Coco Gauff, where I feel like technically she needs to improve a lot of things. Emma is ahead.”
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