Emma Raducanu could be set for a high-profile second-round encounter with Naomi Osaka at the upcoming Washington Open, marking her return to competition since her spirited run at Wimbledon.
The 2021 US Open champion has been drawn to face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the opening round of the WTA 500 event, which begins Monday. Should Raducanu come through her opener, she may meet four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in what would be a headline-grabbing clash on the American hard courts.
Raducanu has not played since her third-round exit at Wimbledon, where she pushed world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka in a closely contested battle. With the US Open looming in late August, the British star is ramping up preparations for the final Grand Slam of the season—an event she famously won as a qualifier.
Meanwhile, Katie Boulter, Britain’s top-ranked female player, also returns to action in Washington but faces a more complicated draw. The 27-year-old will look to regain form and confidence during the North American swing after a second-round exit at SW19.
The Washington Open will serve as a key stop on the road to Flushing Meadows, with both men’s and women’s draws expected to deliver thrilling matchups throughout the week.
