mma Raducanu has continued her impressive form ahead of the US Open after brushing aside a second former world No1 in quick succession.
The reigning Flushing Meadows women’s champion was back in action in the last-32 of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday, less than 16 hours after demolishing the soon-to-be retired Serena Williams 6-4 6-0 in her first – and likely last – ever meeting with the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
And Raducanu showed no signs of tiredness as she breezed to a 26-minute first-set bagel against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, maintaining her dominance in the second set to easily triumph 6-2 6-0 in just over an hour.
The British No1 will face American seventh seed Jessica Pegula for a place in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Emma Raducanu eased past Victoria Azarenka less than 16 hours after thrashing Serena Williams
/ USA TODAY Sports“I was playing a great match for sure and to play Vika I had to stay focused throughout,” Raducanu said afterwards.
“In the second set I could feel the important moments and a couple of turning points that could have made the second set really difficult.
“I am really pleased with how I dug in and serving it out in that last game was really difficult.
“It was another honour to play Vika, she has won so many championships and slams, so it was a great honour to be out here.
“I have realised in the last year, people are going to talk whatever you do and maybe things I do are more amplified because of my situation.
“I just learned to really zone in internally and today and yesterday, I don’t really show any emotion. I didn’t let myself get too high or too low and that definitely helped.”
