2022 US Open: Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka knocked out
France's Alize Cornet knocked defending champion Emma Raducanu out of the 2022 US Open. Raducanu, who in 2021 became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title (Open Era), lost 3-6, 3-6 to Cornet. Meanwhile, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka crashed out of the hard-court Slam after losing to 19th-seeded American Collins. Collins defeated Osaka 7-6(5), 6-3.
Raducanu won the US Open in 2021
In 2021, Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title. She beat Leylah Fernandez in straight sets in the US Open final. The former ended Britain's 44-year wait for a women's singles Grand Slam champion. Raducanu became the youngest women's Slam champion since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004. Raducanu didn't drop a single set in the tournament.
Raducanu is 15-19 since winning US Open
Since winning the 2021 US Open, Raducanu has a win-loss record of 15-19. She hasn't won another title ever since. Before the 2022 US Open, Raducanu lost in the fourth round at the Western and Southern Open. Raducanu, who entered the top 10 in July this year, will crash out of the top 75 soon, as per WTA.
63rd consecutive major main draw appearance
Cornet is appearing in her 63rd consecutive Grand Slam main draw. As per WTA, it is the longest run in Open Era history. Before the US Open, the French ace reached the semi-final in Cleveland. Earlier this year, Cornet qualified for the Australian Open quarter-final, her best result at a major. She has claimed five Top 20 wins in the ongoing season.
Osaka's poor run
Osaka failed to go past the third round at the US Open for the second consecutive season. Earlier this year, the Japanese star lost in the first round at the French Open and the third round at the Australian Open. Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, was also ousted in the first round of the Western and Southern Open, earlier this month.
The Grand Slam drought continues!
Osaka hasn't clinched a major since winning the 2021 Australian Open. She reached the second and third rounds at the French Open and the US Open, respectively, last year. Osaka won the Australian Open in 2019 too and the US Open in 2018 and 2020.
Four successive defeats for Osaka
Osaka has lost four successive matches for the first time since 2018. The Japanese ace lost the semi-finals in Beijing and three round-robin matches at the WTA Finals in Singapore that year.
Upcoming matches of Collins and Cornet
Collins, who defeated Osaka, will face Cristina Bucșa in the second round. Collins has a 13-8 win-loss record in 2022. The American has failed to win consecutive matches of late. On the other hand, Raducanu's opponent, Cornet, will take on Katerina Siniakova in the second round. Siniakova claimed a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over Taylor Townsend in her opening round.
