US Open 2022: 'Now you have got 50 players that think they can win' - Mats Wilander on Emma Raducanu influence

Eurosport expert Mats Wilander believes Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory last year “opened up a can of worms” as she inspired other players that they are capable of winning Grand Slams. Raducanu will look to defend her US Open title when the tournament gets underway on Monday in New York.

Ad She has failed to show the same form and consistency since her historic victory, exiting the second round at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. US OpenRaducanu pauses practice session in tears ahead of US Open title defenceYESTERDAY AT 19:17 “I think we have to be prepared that she can take another run,” said Wilander.

“For sure because when she plays well, she has a consistency in her game that is incredible and mentally she is there all the time, every point. “The question, though, is, I think because she won it, there's so many women that either believe it themselves, or they are told by their teams and their coaches that ‘Hey, Emma Raducanu won the US Open, so why can’t you?’ “So, I think that by her winning, she's opened up a can of worms where it used to be maybe five to 10 players that literally believed they could win it.

Now you have got 50 players that think they can win it and that makes it much harder.” Raducanu will be seeded 11th at the US Open and goes into the tournament off the back of wins against Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka in Cincinnati. Wilander thinks the British No.

1 is no longer “overpowering” her opponents which is a key reason for her performances this year. “The only thing that I'm a little concerned is that last year at the US Open, I thought we were watching someone who a) was moving better than most; b) was mentally stronger than most and c) nearly the most important — she was