Emma Raducanu praises ‘inspirational’ Serena Williams after thrashing her tennis idol

Emma Raducanu defeated Serena Williams in straight units in Cincinnati (Image: Getty)

Emmra Raducanu insisted she was honoured to share a court docket with Serena Williams after thrashing her idol in Cincinnati.

In what was the doubtless first and final assembly between the present US Open title holder and the legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion, Raducanu merely overpowered her opponent.

Williams, 40, struggled to search out consistency in simply her fourth match of the season, giving up 12 unforced errors whereas making simply 11 winners within the first spherical of the Western and Southern Open.

In the meantime, the Tenth-seeded Brit settled in to her rhythm early, breaking Williams twice within the opening set earlier than racing away within the second to assert her twelfth win of the season.

‘I feel all of us want to only honour Serena and her wonderful profession,’ Raducanu stated on court docket after the match. ‘I’m so grateful for the expertise of having the ability to play her and for our careers to cross over.

‘Every thing that she’s achieved is so inspirational and it was a real honour to share the court docket together with her.’

On the importance of her victory, she later added: ‘I don’t actually assume it has sunk in and I type of know these experiences don’t actually sink in.

Emma Raducanu overpowered Serena Williams of their first spherical match in Cincinnati (Image: Getty)

‘Tonight I type of got here off court docket to do my press so I haven’t had the time to essentially be with the crew and stuff and relish the second. After all enjoying Serena she’s such a legend it was wonderful simply to share the court docket together with her.’

Raducanu has been compelled to acclimatise to the glare of the highlight shortly over the course of her headline-grabbing profession to date, however the consideration her maiden match in opposition to the soon-to-be retired Williams caught her unexpectedly.

She stated: ‘To be sincere I couldn’t actually escape the match I opened YouTube I used to be watching highlights of myself and the very first thing that pops up is me and Serena.

Serena Williams struggled for any fluency in opposition to Emma Raducanu (Image: Getty)

‘I watched the tennis channel TV and the very first thing that pops up is Serena so it’s a match individuals had been wanting ahead to and I used to be myself and simply actually joyful to return by means of.

‘It wasn’t straightforward you’re type of on edge the entire time. She’s going to return again and you need to be actually centered.’

Raducanu has struggled for health and consistency since her epic US Open success practically 12 months in the past and revealed a extra aggressive method in opposition to Williams yielded a extra polished efficiency.

She stated: I positively performed extra aggressive tennis in comparison with some newer matches.

‘I simply wished to provide myself the most effective likelihood I knew I wasn’t going to beat Serena by simply pushing the ball within the court docket. I used to be going for my pictures and simply letting it go and it truly helped with my errors as effectively.’

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