US Open 2021: British teen Emma Radocano wins potential match with Ashleigh Barty

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Emma Radocano reaches the last 16 of consecutive Grand Slams Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Date: August 30 – September 12 Coverage: Daily radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra/BBC sports website and app, with selected live streams Text commentary and reports Matching on the website and app

British teen Emma Radocano defeated Spain’s Sarah Sorribes Tormo to prepare for a potential US Open round of 16 clash with top seed Ashleigh Barty.

Radocano, 18, beat world number 41 Soribis Tormo 6-0 6-1 as she continued her first Grand Slam appearance abroad with an exceptional victory in New York.

Soribis Tormo is the highest rated player that Radocano has defeated.

She will face Barty on Monday if the Australian world number one beats Shelby Rogers later on Saturday.

After rushing into the Grand Slam scene with a stunning race to the last 16 at Wimbledon as a replacement card, Raducanu has now matched that breakout show at Flushing Meadows.

“I was playing well and I know Sarah is a strong opponent so I had to continue my game and worked hard,” said Radocano, who won in one hour and nine minutes.

“I’m glad I kept steady.”

The teen’s winning method was hardly believable, as she beat a hard-working opponent who rose to a high ranking after winning 29 matches on the tour this year.

Raducanu’s strength and accuracy was more than Sorribes Tormo could handle. The Briton overtook 23 winners and served hard throughout as well.

It is fitting that she sealed the victory with another winner with a resounding forehand before winning the plaudits of New York fans who seem to realize they are watching a star in the making.

“I had to hit it and hit the corners,” said Radocano, whose winners were outnumbered by 16 unforced errors.

“If you trade against her, she comes in second and you take the match for her and have more winners than fouls.”

Raducanu’s star continues to rise, Raducanu has been a popular attraction for US Open outdoor fans

Three months ago, the British tennis player did not know Raducano. Then it was ranked 361 in the world.

After her stunning Wimbledon run, she became a household name in the UK, and now she’s attracting a lot of attention from the New York crowd, many of whom wanted selfies and autographs after her victory over Sorribes Tormo.

The victory also meant that a teenager you were on the cusp of climbing to the top 100 players in the world.

Raducanu qualified for her first major last week, and unimpressed by the playing volume of her first overseas major, she continued to make a fuss at Flushing Meadows.

In three qualifying matches and three main draw matches, no group fell.

“It was an unbelievably amazing performance from such a young player. She has absolutely nothing to lose,” former British top seed Laura Robson told BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.

“We have continued to promote this match as a strong opponent – a tough opponent. Sorribes Tormo has won many matches against top players and has the game to really get you in trouble.

“But she was never in it. She never got the chance to play her game because Emma hit her off the field.”

Raducanu quickly sealed her power in the early stages, breaking 24-year-old Sorribes Tormo at the third attempt in a long second match.

Since then it’s been one-way traffic as the Briton won 29 of the 42 points he played in the first set.

Former British top seed Tim Henman described Radocano’s performance in the first set as a “ball-shooting clinic”.

She continued to press in the second set, breaking serve at the first opportunity to lead 2-0.

With her head in her hands, Sorribes Turmo looks shocked from the bombardment as she trails 3-0 in the change.

Raducanu refused to calm as she chased after the second set she liked, maintaining intensity as the Spaniard struggled to make it to the scoreboard.

There was huge cheer as Soribes Tormo kept her serve 5-1, sealing the match point, but she couldn’t delay the inevitable as Radocano kept her composure for a one-sided victory.

“The level was ridiculous,” Robson added.

“Many young players can hit the ball really hard, but to be that consistent and be able to support yourself is unbelievable.”

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