Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz’s doubles partnership at the US Open has dominated headlines ever since its announcement many months ago.
It was a union that few had ever seen coming, but one that commanded great interest given the various profiles of these young superstars.
Naturally, as this revamped mixed doubles format drew closer, anticipation grew, which made it such a shame when the two exited in the very first round.
Brushed aside by the team of Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, it was still so much fun to see Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu share the court together.
The latter certainly relished her time playing with the former world number one.
Emma Raducanu makes Carlos Alcaraz claim after the US Open mixed doubles
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of her return to action in the US Open singles draw, she offered one final comment about the mixed doubles, which concluded earlier this week.
And whilst the 22-year-old was upbeat, it contrasted with Alcaraz’s regrets over what he failed to do before the event started, which could have helped their chances.
Regardless, Raducanu remained positive, as she even revealed what she managed to learn from playing alongside such a great competitor.
She claimed: “It was incredible. Such a fun match and such a fun experience to be a part of. I thought it was a great idea.
“Obviously, to share the court with [Alcaraz] was incredible. Just to hear how he thinks and see him so up close, it was pretty special.”
Who is Emma Raducanu’s first-round opponent at the US Open this year?
Whilst Raducanu’s US Open draw has thrown up some horrible potential match-ups in the second round and beyond, her first-round match is, on paper, as easy as it could be.
After all, she faces qualifier Ena Shibahara.
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However, she should know better than anyone just how dangerous a qualifier can be, having come through that format in 2021 to win the entire US Open, against all the odds.
That is obviously the outlier, but the Japanese tennis star remains a threat to be wary of for the British number one.
After all, at 27 years old, she boasts plenty of experience, even if this marks just her second-ever appearance in a Grand Slam main draw.
A wily doubles specialist who has been ranked as highly as fourth in the world in the past, and who is clearly in red-hot form, Shibahara is not one to be overlooked.
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In doubles, she is a Grand Slam champion, a 12-time WTA title winner, and an Olympics quarter-finalist.
Raducanu cannot rest on her laurels in this first-round clash.