Hello and welcome to coverage of the US Open as Emma Raducanu begins her campaign in New York.
Three years ago, the Briton enjoyed a fairytale run to the title but things haven’t gone smoothly for her ever since due to injury and mixed results.
Tonight, the 21-year-old takes on former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin as she eyes a first win at Flushing Meadows since her win.
She has played just three matches since her run to the Wimbledon fourth round at the start of last month but says she has her spark back.
“I’ve been playing a lot freer in the last month, I’ve been expressing myself and I’ve been fighting, there’s been a lot of passion and I’ve been feisty,” she said in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I just feel a real fire back and a desire. That is me, I’m really tenacious and gritty, and I feel like I’ve got my spark back, which is what I’m most pleased about.”
Kenin has similarly struggled since winning her own maiden major title in 2020 but for Raducanu says she’s now come to terms with her famous victory and feels pride.
“I feel a lot better. I feel very proud when I come here,” she said.
“Walking past my photo every day. Walking past my name on the trophy every day. I think that is such an epic achievement and these two weeks, I completed it.
“For me, coming back here now, I come back with such a different outlook. Just joy and pride and it inspires me to want to do more.
“I would say I was a lot more nervous and I think I felt pressure more (in 2022). It is natural. I still didn’t come to terms with it.
“I think overall now, I am in a much more solid and consistent state than I was when I came back last time.”