TAKE IT AS RED

Ruthless Raducanu hurries into round three in favourite colour

- From Neil McLeman in New York

EMMA RADUCANU raced into the US Open third round by recording her fastest Grand Slam win for the second time this week.

The British No.1 needed only 62 minutes on Sunday to notch her first victory at Flushing Meadows since her 2021 ‘title triumph, beating Japan’s Ena Shibahara in straight sets.

And Raducanu, decked out in the same red as when she stunned the tennis world, took two minutes fewer yesterday, thrashing Indonesian world No.149 Janice Tjen 6-2 6-1 in exactly an hour.

The world No.36 has lost only six games in the tournament so far, although the most famous qualifier in tennis history has had the fortune to start this ‘campaign against two qualifiers and tougher tasks will follow.

After her 26th win of the season — the highest tally of her career — she is in the form and the mood to go further.