Emma Raducanu, at 22 years old, delivered an impressive performance to defeat world number 10 Emma Navarro at the Miami Open, marking her best victory of the season. In a thrilling match, Raducanu triumphed 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 7-6 (7-3) to advance to the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament for the first time. The decider was a rollercoaster ride, with Raducanu nearly facing a double break down before rallying to serve for the match.
This win was only the third time in Raducanu’s career that she has defeated a player ranked in the world’s top 10, and it was her first victory on a hard court. When asked about where this victory ranked among her performances this season, Raducanu acknowledged, “It’s number one – because Emma is a top-10 opponent and I haven’t beaten one this year. The match wasn’t pretty but I had to fight, scrap, and be aggressive.”
Despite concerns about Raducanu’s resilience, she displayed incredible grit in this match, silencing many of her doubters. Currently ranked 60th in the world, Raducanu matched Navarro in a tight start before facing a dip in intensity in the second set. After receiving treatment for a foot injury, she faced a deficit in the deciding set but managed to hold on to her serve and play more assertively as Navarro’s nerves kicked in.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, managed to reset after losing three consecutive games, showcasing quality returning and sealing victory with a forehand winner. Even she admitted, “I have no idea how I won that match to be honest,” in her post-match interview. Notably, Raducanu is currently without a full-time coach but received guidance from Mark Petchey during the match, describing him as a “familiar face” offering support
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
