Emma Raducanu: Why aggression, serve and return could be key to repeating US Open success in New York

It was not surprising to hear Emma Raducanu say recently that she felt like “everything was automatic” on her way to her stunning US Open victory a year ago. Even though it was all new to Raducanu, who was playing in her just her second Grand Slam main draw, she appeared in the zone throughout, unflustered by all the noise around her and the seemingly ever-increasing pressure. Ad «Those weeks don’t come by very often,” she reflected earlier this month on her incredible run that saw her become the first qualifier in the Open era to win a Grand Slam title.

US Open'She needs to be focussed on the game' — Henin delivers warning to Raducanu3 HOURS AGO “You might have one or two a year. For me, I was lucky that I had three like pretty much when it mattered really.” Raducanu reeled off 10 wins in a row — three in qualifying, seven in the main draw — to claim the US Open, but hasn’t managed three victories at the same tournament since. So what does she need to do to get in the zone again in New York as she defends her title? Play aggressively again By Raducanu’s own recollection, she played some “outrageous shots” at last year’s US Open.

What stood out in particular was Raducanu’s power from the baseline, the shots down the line on both wings and the way she could redirect the ball with such ease. There was confidence and freedom to her ball striking and more often than not she looked to take control of rallies early. Raducanu has not seemed as fearless this season and recently admitted that at times she has “just played too tense”.

Now she plans to try to “swing freely” again. That approach appeared to pay off in Cincinnati as Raducanu produced impressive displays to thrash former world No. 1s Serena Williams and Victoria