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US Open: British teenager Emma Raducanu qualifies for main draw of Grand Slam

Emma Raducanu put on some impressive serving, winning 78 per cent of her first serves, as well as landing three aces on her way to victory over Mayar Sherif to make it through to the main draw of the US Open; Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart also progress making it eight Brits in the draw

By Raz Mirza

Monday 30 August 2021 16:08, UK

Emma Raducanu of Great celebrates against Bibiane Schoofs of the Netherlands in the first round of the women's singles qualifying at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Image: Emma Raducanu has reached the main draw of her first overseas Grand Slam

British teenager Emma Raducanu produced a spellbinding performance to make it through to the main draw at the US Open at her first overseas Grand Slam.

The 18-year-old, who memorably reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, dropped just three games as she rolled over Holland's Bibiane Schoofs in the first round before coming through against Mariam Bolkvadze of Georgia.

And she continued her winning momentum by upsetting Egyptian Mayar Sherif 6-1 6-4 on Friday to make it through to the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

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Raducanu took an aggressive approach from the start to which fourth seed Sherif had no answer for.

The 18-year-old Brit dropped five points on serve in the opening set, which she wrapped up in just 24 minutes.

After breaking in the fifth game of the second set, Raducanu appeared to be heading for a comfortable win, but Sherif hit back to level at 3-3.

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Raducanu, who is now up to 150 in the world following a strong showing in Chicago last week where she made the Challenger event final, sealed another break before eventually wrapping up the match on serve with her third match point.

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Katie Boulter celebrates during a qualifying match at the 2021 US Open, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Flushing, NY. (Pete Staples/USTA)
Image: Katie Boulter joined Raducanu in reaching the main draw of the US Open

Katie Boulter followed Raducanu into the main draw for the first time in three attempts after battling back from a break down in the decider to beat Kristina Kucova 7-5 2-6 6-4 in two hours and 32 minutes.

Harriet Dart rounded out a successful day for Britain, qualifying for the main draw with a 6-7 (1-7) 6-1 6-3 win over Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria.

Johanna Konta and Heather Watson will be in women's first-round action next week, along with Andy Murray, Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie for the men.

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