Emma Raducanu opened her 2025 US Open campaign with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour to advance to the second round on Sunday.
It was her first victory at Flushing Meadows since winning the tournament as an 18-year-old in 2021.
Raducanu raced to a 5-0 lead, Shibahara had the chance to pull the lead back to 4-2 with a break point but Raducanu served out the contest to love.
The British star was delighted with her opening win in the tournament.
Raducanu said: “Of course I’m very, very pleased with that match. It’s my first win here since 2021. I’m just so happy with the way I came through that.
“I’m just very pleased with how I managed myself, managed my game through that match.
“I’m very happy. I’ve got amazing people in my corner over there. I want to thank them.
“It makes every day of the work feel a lot more enjoyable, pleasurable and I see the progress I’m making on the practice court.
“It might not come straight away but I know over time I’m just racking up good days, building and I feel like it has to go somewhere.”
American stars Ben Shelton, and Taylor Fritz recorded opening day victories over the likes of Ignacio Buse, and Emilio Nava respectively.
Shelton defeated Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to advance to the next round while Fritz recorded a 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Emilio Nava.
Raducanu is the first British woman to win a major in singles, since Virginia Wade at the 1977 Wimbledon Championships. She is currently the British No. 1 in women’s singles.
