US Open revamps mixed doubles format, adds $1 million prize to incentivize "biggest names in the sport"

Two months ago, the 18-year-old from Great Britain played her first major at Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round before having to retire when she began experiencing problems with her breathing.

Now she's producing a similar run at the US Open, coming through qualifying to secure a third-round berth at Flushing Meadows. Raducanu says she gained a lot of competitive experience at Wimbledon, where her highly-publicized exit threw her into the spotlight, and is more equipped for this level of competition.

"I think Wimbledon, it taught me how physical I had to be for every match. But that was my first tournament on the tour at such a high level," she told press following her second-round win against Zhang Shuai.

"Given the matches I've played, I'm keeping up a lot more physically.

"I think in terms of tennis, I'm playing better and better with each match, and especially on the hard courts, it's different to grass, so with each match I'm gaining experience."

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Raducanu's first four sets in the US Open main draw: 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Raducanu has yet to drop a set since the start of qualifying, and though the competition is getting tougher as she goes further into the tournament, she's also improving with each round.

"I've had five matches in New York, so I feel very comfortable with the conditions and the courts," she said. "I'm just getting more and more used to it and each round I feel like I'm going for my shots more. I think I've come a very long way from my first qualifying match here, and since the first tournament of this trip, five weeks ago. I think playing at the tour level for so many weeks in a row just builds your confidence."

And while most of her opponents are still new to her, Raducanu enjoys watching other players and coming up with ways to play them.

"Yeah, I think everyone has their strengths in their game and I think one of mine is being mentally quite sharp," she said. "I think that my preparation is key in my game and is probably one of my biggest weapons."

Raducanu next plays Sara Sorribes Tormo in a third-round meeting. A win would elevate her to around the Top 100 in the live rankings.