Emma Raducanu put on an impressive display on March 19, 2025, at the Miami Open, defeating Japan's Sayaka Ishii in commanding fashion with a score of 6-2, 6-1. The match, which lasted just 65 minutes, showcased Raducanu's exceptional skill as she effortlessly maneuvered through the first round of the prestigious tournament.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and currently ranked British No 2, showcased her potential as she faces eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro in what promises to be a thrilling second-round match. The encounter marks Raducanu's first meeting with a Top 10 player since her defeat to Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Reflecting on her performance against Ishii, Raducanu stated, "It's going to be an extremely challenging match. She's probably in better form, so I can go out and express myself, and try and compete for every point." This optimism comes after an overwhelming victory where Raducanu won 77% of her first-serve points, fired six aces, and converted five of her six break points.
In contrast to Raducanu's success, fellow British player Katie Boulter suffered an early exit, losing to American Peyton Stearns with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Boulter faced a tough challenge as she made her comeback after a two-month injury break. Stearns, who had previously defeated Boulter in their past two encounters, expressed respect for her opponent, saying, "Katie is a great player, it is always tough playing her. I knew I had to stay on it, and if I gave her anything, she would take it." Stearns will now face Elise Mertens, the 27th seed, in the second round.
Another standout of the day was Canadian wild-card Victoria Mboko, who provided a highlight by upsetting Colombian player Camila Osorio in a thrilling three-set match. After two hours and thirty-two minutes, Mboko secured a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 victory, marking her first win over a Top 100 player. Mboko, ranked 162, previously won five titles at ITF events in 2025, boasting an overall season record of 28-1. She will face No. 10 seed Paula Badosa in her next match.
The matches continued with the triumphs of other competitors as well. Moyuka Uchijima advanced by defeating Suzan Lamens from the Netherlands, 6-4, 6-3, while former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic came from behind to beat Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5. Bencic recovered after being 3-5 down in the final set, winning the last four games.
Three-time Miami Open champion, Victoria Azarenka, dominated Anhelina Kalinina with an impressive 6-3, 6-1 win, setting her up for a match against 15th-seeded Karolina Muchova. Meanwhile, Julia Grabher defeated American wild-card Tyra Caterina Grant, 6-4, 6-4, and fellow wild-card Alexandra Eala scored her first win at the Miami Open, overcoming Katie Volynets, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Elina Avanesyan of Armenia defeated Russian wild-card Erika Andreeva, 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-4; Egypt's Mayar Sherif won against New Zealand's Lulu Sun, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4; and American McCartney Kessler had a hard-fought victory over Marie Bouzkova, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and forty-one minutes.
In the men's draw, British player Billy Harris faced a tough first-round match against Eliot Spizzirri from the USA but ended in disappointment, falling 7-6[2], 3-6, 6-2. Harris struggled with unforced errors, particularly in the crucial tie-break before managing to secure a set. Unfortunately for Harris, Spizzirri rallied back strong, winning four consecutive games to close out the match.
Despite Harris's departure from the tournament, British representation remains strong with Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley poised to compete on March 20, 2025. Fearnley, seeking his maiden ATP 1000 victory, is set to meet Benjamin Bonzi while Norrie takes on Bu Yunchaokete. Meanwhile, sixth seed Jack Draper is waiting to discover his opponent after receiving a bye into the second round.
As the Miami Open progresses, players like Raducanu continue to attract attention, while other British contenders fight for their place in the tournament's spotlight, showcasing the potential and tenacity that highlights British tennis.
