TIME FOR EMMA TO SHOW REVIVAL IS BUILT TO LAST

IT IS a fortnight short of three years since Emma Raducanu last won a US Open match.

- Matt Verri

That was, to be fair to the 21-yearold, a fairly noteworthy victory: Leylah Fernandez beaten in the 2021 final as she sealed the most remarkable run to the title.

A first-round defeat by Alize Cornet was the sum of her defence 12 months later, while injury prevented Raducanu from even making it to the start line last year.

Back to fitness and back in New York, she need not search too hard for reminders of past glory before facing fellow Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin in her opening match at Flushing Meadows tonight.

"I feel very proud when I come here," Raducanu said. "Walking past my photo every day, walking past my name on the trophy every day, I think that's such an epic achievement.

These two weeks, I completed it." There have been promising signs for Raducanu, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and lost to eventual winner Paula Badosa in Washington earlier this month in what was a fourth quarter-final in her past six tournaments.

That is the only event Raducanu has played since Wimbledon, skipping the Olympics and opting against entering qualifying in Toronto or Cincinnati.