Taming the Dark Horse: Raducanu Ends Tjen’s Cinderella Run

In a battle at the US Open, it was the former champion who tamed the dark horse. Emma Raducanu put a decisive end to the Cinderella run of qualifier Janice Tjen, winning 6-2, 6-1 with a performance that was both dominant and disciplined.
Janice Tjen had emerged as one of the tournament’s feel-good stories. The Indonesian player’s incredible journey from the lowest rungs of the ITF circuit to the second round of a Grand Slam, including an upset of a top-25 player, had captured the imagination of tennis fans.
However, Raducanu was in no mood for fairy tales. She played the role of the pragmatic favorite, using her superior power and experience to dismantle Tjen’s game. While respecting her opponent’s recent achievements, Raducanu was ruthless in exposing the gap in level, ensuring the clock struck midnight on Tjen’s surprising run.
By efficiently taming a dangerous dark horse, Raducanu has cleared a potential hurdle and shown she is focused on her own story. She has navigated the early rounds with poise and is now ready to take on the established contenders as she continues her own quest for a second New York crown.