Giant-killer Alize Cornet knocks out defending champion Emma Raducanu: I’m sorry I beat her

Defending champion of the US Open within the ladies’s singles division, Emma Raducanu crashed out of her title protection within the very first spherical of the match on Wednesday, 31 August. Raducanu fell to a shock first spherical defeat towards France’s Alize Cornet shedding in straight units, 3-6, 3-6.

19-yer-old Raducanu, who had a dream run final 12 months, was merely no match for the 32-year-old French star who has made a behavior of killing giants within the huge competitions. Cornet just lately knocked World quantity Iga Swiatek within the third spherical of Wimbledon, as soon as once more in straight units, 6-4, 6-2. Swiatek was on a 37-match successful run at that time.

.@alizecornet is victorious in Armstrong!

She defeats Raducanu, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to Round 2. pic.twitter.com/RHAd0zCBxv

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022

On the day the eleventh seeded Briton turns into the primary defending US Open champion to lose within the first spherical of their title defence since Germany’s Angelique Kerber in 2017.

Raducanu handled blisters on her racket-holding proper hand and took a medical timeout after the primary set for remedy from a coach.

Speaking within the on courtroom interview after the match, Cornet known as Raducanu an awesome individual and stated that she was sorry that she knocked her out, this early within the competitors.

“Emma is a great person and a great player so I’m sorry I beat her,” she says. “I was tired at the start of the second set because there were long rallies.”

Asked about her drop pictures, which have been her primary weapon on the evening, she stated that she cherished enjoying these pictures and trusted her capability in it.

“I like it, it’s one of my favourite shots.”

Cornet has made a reputation for herself within the current years, enjoying impeccable tennis within the ladies’s singles division. Asked about her enchancment, she stated that she handles the stress higher now that she is a bit of older.

“Maybe I’m getting older, I can handle it better”.

— ENDS —