A relentless Emma Raducanu gave her opponent no time to think and no room to breathe as she stormed into the third round of the US Open with a crushing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Janice Tjen. It was a display of suffocating, front-foot tennis that underscored her readiness to compete at the highest level once again.
The British star executed her game plan flawlessly, smothering Tjen from the very first point. By positioning herself on top of the baseline, Raducanu took the ball exceptionally early, robbing the Indonesian of precious time. This aggressive court positioning was backed by a powerful and precise serve that consistently put Tjen on the defensive, preventing her from ever launching her own attacks.
This was a particularly impressive tactical display against an opponent whose game thrives on variety and rhythm. Janice Tjen, who models her style on Ash Barty, uses a tricky backhand slice to disrupt opponents. However, Raducanu’s relentless pace and depth, particularly from her cross-court backhand, never allowed Tjen to get comfortable or deploy her signature shot effectively.
This performance highlights the evolution of Raducanu’s game. She is actively working to be the aggressor, to bully opponents with the quality of her ball-striking rather than just her defensive skills. After two such commanding wins, she will carry significant momentum into a much-anticipated third-round match, where this relentless style will face its sternest test yet.