Raducanu vs Shibahara

🎾 US Open Betting Coverage
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Raducanu vs Shibahara — US Open R1 Preview

WTA US Open Hard Court Round 1

🧠 Form & Context

Emma Raducanu (No. 35, age 22)

• 🇬🇧 2021 US Open champion, famously winning as a qualifier without dropping a set.
• 🎾 Slam struggles since: first-round losses here in 2022 & 2024.
• 🔥 2025 North American swing: SF in Washington (beat Sakkari, Osaka), R3 in Montreal & Cincinnati (pushed Sabalenka to final-set TB).
• 📈 Season record 24–17 (13–9 on hard).
• 💡 Strengths: Clean ball-striking, aggressive returns, thrives in front of big-stage crowds.
• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Can fade physically in long matches, patchy serving under pressure.

Ena Shibahara (No. 130, age 27)

• 🇯🇵 Known as a doubles force (former top-5), but steadily improving singles.
• 📊 Slam record: Qualified here in 2024, reached 2R before falling to Swiatek (6–0, 6–1).
• 🚀 2025 form: Qualified again without dropping a set; 24–20 season record (13–10 on hard).
• 📌 Breakthroughs: Austin QF in February, a career highlight.
• ⚠️ Limitation: 0–7 career vs top-50 players.

📜 Head-to-Head

Raducanu leads 1–0 (Nottingham 2024, 6–1, 6–4).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Raducanu brings momentum, confidence, and clear baseline superiority. She has already shown she can hang with elite names this summer.

Shibahara has improved her fight and consistency but lacks the weapons to consistently trouble Raducanu’s depth and pace. Her wins mostly come from long rallies and exploiting weaker opponents.

The Japanese qualifier will need to drag Raducanu into extended exchanges, but the Brit’s improved movement and offensive mindset in North America make that tough.

Crowd factor: Huge support expected for Raducanu in New York, where she owns one of the most famous Slam runs of modern times.

🔮 Prediction

This is a favorable draw for Raducanu, who should be motivated to end her US Open losing streak. Shibahara can stay competitive in pockets, but her lack of top-50 wins and difficulty absorbing pace point toward a controlled Raducanu win.

Pick: Raducanu in straight sets (2–0).