Emma Raducanu tipped to break into world’s top 50 in future ahead of US Open

Emma Raducanu: Commentators praise 'extraordinary' win

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Emma Raducanu has enjoyed a sensational rise to fame and she has been tipped to continue her incredible journey. Annabel Croft, who was once Britain’s best player, believes the 18-year-old star has a bright future ahead following her run to the WTA 125 final in Chicago. Raducanu is now competing in US Open qualifying, and the teenager has been tipped to make her second Grand Slam main draw after a breakthrough at Wimbledon.

Raducanu has risen even further after her incredible Wimbledon adventure, securing the world No 150 spot after a run to her first-ever WTA Tour-level final.

The 18-year-old received a wildcard into the Challenger event in Chicago, beating top seed Alison van Uytvanck in straight sets in the opening round, before producing a stunning run to the championship match.

After getting off to a shaky start, the Brit was able to run away with the second set and found herself a break up in the third, though she and opponent Clara Tauson continued to break one another until the young Danish star eventually won 6-1 2-6 6-4.

Raducanu now heads into the US Open qualifying event full of confidence, having been able to back up her breakthrough Wimbledon run with a maiden final.

JUST IN: Thiem gives verdict on Djokovic Calendar Slam chances at US Open

Former British No 1 Croft believes the 18-year-old will be able to make the main draw in Flushing Meadows, likening the calibre of her qualifying opponents to those of her opponents in Chicago last week.

“I think she’s going to have a really good qualifying,” the Prime Video commentator told Express Sport.

“I think she’ll get through qualies actually. I think she’s handled the pressure and expectation since Wimbledon really well and she’s clearly played a lot of matches, she’s had a lot of wins under her belt, even though it’s at a lower level but I think that level will be pretty similar to the qualies.”

Beyond the qualifying rounds, Annabel thinks anything could happen if the world No 150 makes it into the main event.

DON’T MISS
Novak Djokovic’s ‘motivation will be at its peak’ in US Open bid
Simona Halep teases fans she will be fit for US Open on social media
Biles hails Osaka for leading ‘important’ mental health in sport chat

She added: “Unless she gets a bad draw, I can see her qualifying and then who knows, I mean sometimes you get qualifiers that draw qualifiers in round one, it just depends on the draw.”

Looking to the future, Annabel said she could see the teenager breaking into the world’s top 50 one day, though pointed out that anything higher would be down to Raducanu’s own dedication, similar to compatriot Johanna Konta’s career.

“I definitely think she can be top 50 and thereon after it’s up to her,” she said.

“I always remember Jo Konta, when I watched her in qualifying when she was ranked lower than where Emma Raducanu is now. And she was quite erratic, she didn’t have any confidence, she didn’t have any major weapons actually and if I compare the two I would say that, who would have believed that Jo Konta would get to No 4 in the world, and that was done through sheer hard work and professionalism.”

The two-time Junior Grand Slam champion continued: “She really gave it everything to get where she got, and I have nothing but admiration for what she put into it and how she reaped those rewards. I think when you put in the hard work, the way she applied herself, anything is possible, and I would say the same with Emma Raducanu.”

Annabel even said she believed Raducanu had more natural ability than Konta, adding: “When you’ve got what she’s got, which I would say is naturally a little bit more than what Konta had, I would say it’s up to her application and what she puts into it because I think there is so much that she can achieve.”

The 55-year-old also commended the recent Chicago finalist for continuing her run of form following a round of 16 appearance at her debut Grand Slam.

“I would say she’s done exactly what you would ask of someone where, quite often you see somebody have a breakthrough at say Wimbledon and you go ah, well that’s one thing because you’ve got all the attention and the spotlight but now you’ve got to go and do it in Timbuktu where no one is watching and there’s not all the attention, and she’s kind of done exactly that.”

The US Open is available to watch on Prime Video from Monday, August 30.

Source: Read Full Article