[ad_1]
Britain’s Emma Raducanu says it’s a “nice present” to play 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams for the primary time in her profession.
The pair will play at 00:00 BST on Wednesday once they meet within the Western and Southern Open first spherical.
Earlier this week, 40-year-old Williams recommended she would quickly retire from tennis, saying she shall be “evolving away” from the game after the US Open.
Raducanu, 19, is getting ready to defend her US Open title later this month.
“I believe it’ll be an thrilling match,” stated Raducanu, whose first reminiscence of seeing Williams play was when she went to Wimbledon as a seven-year-old.
“It is an incredible alternative to play most likely the most effective tennis participant of all time. It is most likely going to be my final alternative to ever play her.
“I believe that, for our careers to have crossed over, I believe I am actually lucky that I get to play her. No matter occurs, I believe it’ll be a very good expertise for me and one thing that I’ll keep in mind for the remainder of my life.
“It is a terrific present to play the most effective on her manner out from the game.”
The British primary gained the Flushing Meadows event final yr as an unseeded 18-year-old, 22 years after Williams gained her first Grand Slam singles title in New York, aged simply 17.
The pair had been as a result of play on Monday, however the match was pushed again to Tuesday’s evening session in Cincinnati after rain delayed Sunday’s play.
The winner will face both Victoria Azarenka or Kaia Kanepi within the second spherical.
[ad_2]