Serena Slammed By Raducanu At Cincinnati Masters, Osaka Out; Swiatek v Stephens Wed.

Emma Raducanu earned her biggest win in almost a year hammering Serena Williams 6-4, 6-0 Tuesday night at the Cincinnati Masters.

Delayed a day due to Serena’s left knee, Raducanu broke the legend early and just rolled the 40-year-old in a dominant win.

“I think from the beginning to the end, I maybe looked calm, but I just knew how important every single point was, because you let up a little bit and she’s going to be all over you,” Raducanu said. “She’s just such a legend.”

Serena fell behind 4-1 before mounting a charge, but Raducanu, 21 years Serena’s junior, ran away with the match.

Afterward, Serena didn’t stick around for an on court ceremony nor did she partake in the mandatory press conference.

The teen will now take on another future Hall of Famer in Victoria Azarenka.

“I think it’s important to really cherish the wins, because I think that if anything, this year has taught me that the wins don’t come by easily,” said Raducanu. “No matter what win that is, it means a lot to any athlete, and I definitely am going to take it in, be really proud of myself.

“But it is a fast turnover tomorrow, and I probably have got 12 hours until I’m back on site. I’m playing another Slam champion tomorrow, so it’s obviously going to be really difficult. Just going to try to prepare as best as possible.”

Serena’s sister, Venus, was on in the day and nearly pulled off the upset over Karolina Pliskova. The powerful Venus led with a break 4-2 in the first but failed to capitalize on that edge and Pliskova seized control with a 7-5, 6-1 win.

“She played really good [in] the first set,” said Pliskova. “I was actually close to losing the first set because she was really playing well.”

Naomi Osaka began the day going out as well. The 2-time US Open champion fell to Zhang Shuai 6-4, 7-5. Osaka has lost her last three matches.

Qualifier Caroline Garcia knocked out No. 4 seed Maria Sakkari in three sets. Second seeded Anett Kontaveit got a win defeating qualifier Tereza Martincova also in three set.

Coco Gauff rolled her left ankle in a scary late first set fall. The teen eventually retired down 7-5, 1-0 to Marie Bouzkova.

Simona Halep, Madison Keys and Shelby Rogers were also winners.

Tomorrow, in third round play Raducanu returns to face Azarenka, Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka are also in action and Iga Swiatek will meet former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

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