CRUSHING MEADOWS

Emma thrashed by Rybakina in just 62 minutes

- FROM NEIL McLEMAN in New York X@NeilMcLeman

EMMA RADUCANU claimed she is targeted by the top stars after suffering another humbling Grand Slam defeat to Elena Rybakina at the US Open.

The British No.1 set new records for her quickest Major wins in her opening two rounds against qualifiers.

But against the No.9 seed, the 2021 champion was thrashed 6-1 6-2 in only 62 minutes for the less desirable stat of her most rapid Grand Slam defeat.

Raducanu, 22, has still to beat a top-10 player in a Major. And the gulf in class between her and the elite had already been shown with her Grand Slam defeats this year to Iga Swiatek (6-1 6-0 in Melbourne and 6-1 6-2 in Paris) and Aryna Sabalenka (7-6 6-4) at Wimbledon.

Asked if she felt she had a target on her back because of her history, the world No.36 said: "Yeah, big time.