'Really disappointing, really sad' - Emma Raducanu reacts to first-round defeat to Alize Cornet at US Open

Emma Raducanu has reflected upon her «really disappointing, really sad» first-round defeat to Alize Cornet at the US Open. The Brit, who stunned the world by securing a shock triumph at Flushing Meadows last year in a fairytale fortnight, could not find the same magic this year as she lost to the unseeded French player 6-3 6-3 in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Ad In 2021, Raducanu remarkably won all 10 of her matches and became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era in only her second major.

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She is also pleased to now have a «clean slate» ahead of next year. «I think it was a pretty tough match against a really experienced player,» Raducanu began in her post-match press conference. "[I'm] obviously disappointed to lose first round.

Credit to Alize, she played pretty well. Obviously, really disappointing, really sad to leave here. It's probably my favourite tournament.

«But also, in a way, I'm happy because it's a clean slate. I'm going to drop down the rankings. Climb my way back up.

In a way, the target will be off my back slightly. I just have another chance to claw my way back up there. »I've been doing some really good work in the last six weeks especially.