Triumphing over a grueling match that stretched over two hours and 53 minutes against Emma Navarro, British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu emerged victorious, later reflecting on her performance as if she “played like my life depended on it.” This showdown took place in the second round of the Miami tournament where Raducanu, defying the odds, managed to overcome the eighth-seeded American player, with a score of 7-6 (6) 2-6 7-6 (3).
The 2021 US Open champion, Raducanu, now has a third top-10 player victory under her belt, the first since her remarkable run during the previous summer’s grass season. The first set saw Raducanu clawing back from a break down, saving two set points in the tie-breaker. The world-ranked No. 60 player mirrored this resilience in the decisive set, thwarting Navarro’s attempt to serve for the match at a crucial 6-5 point. She sealed her victory with another tie-breaker, marking a three-set win.
At the tender age of 22, Raducanu has broken new ground in her career by advancing to the third round of the Miami tournament for the first time ever. She is set to face McCartney Kessler in the forthcoming round. Following her monumental victory over Navarro, Raducanu divulged her raw emotions. She confessed, “I have really got no idea how I won that. It was a match full of ups and downs and shifts of momentum. It was so physical. It was an unbelievable match. I came here with someone and it didn’t unfortunately work out. We put some great work in.”
Despite her stoic demeanor during the third set, Raducanu revealed the emotional toll of the match, stating, “I used a lot of emotion even though it didn’t look like it. I have gone through a lot and I told myself that I have gone through too much to leave it to her. I played every point like my life depended on it. It was pretty powerful. I would say this was my No.1 match this year.”
After a turbulent start to 2025, marred by inconsistency and a harrowing stalking incident in Dubai, Raducanu’s win against a formidable opponent like Navarro is a significant boost. As she strides into the next round, the 22-year-old Briton hopes to maintain her momentum and make a deep run in Miami.
Emma Raducanu is in a constant battle to exceed expectations, cope with her injuries, and deal with consistent inconsistency since she was crowned at the 2022 US Open at the age of 18. The British player has also not been helped by the carousel of coaches she has had since the beginning of her career, nor the off-court issues she has faced. The latest incident in Dubai, when she saw her stalker in the stands, confirmed that luck is not on the side of the 22-year-old.
Therefore, when Raducanu secures a commendable victory showcasing great tennis, as she did in her debut at Miami, the tennis world believes that this might be the moment when the British player rises from the ashes. Following this success, she achieved her first win over a Top 10 player on hard court, advancing to the third round, where she will face McCartney Kessler.
In the post-match press conference, she talked about the importance of these victories and what they mean to her after a challenging 2025. Raducanu expressed, “I’m very pleased to have overcome it. It was a very tough match, both physically and mentally speaking in terms of tennis. Emma is a very tough opponent, and I had to win the match because she moves very well, is aggressive, and does everything very well. So I’m very proud of how I competed and made a comeback.”
Reflecting on the significance of her victory, Raducanu shared, “I think we are very similar in our playing style. She moves very well, is very aggressive. But both of us are very good athletes, I would say.”
She noted the challenging conditions in this match, revealing, “The conditions were quite challenging. It was also a bit hot. I had to find a way to fight and survive, especially when I was behind in the third set.”
This match not only clawed Raducanu back from the depths of previous losses but also showed her resilience. “Today, I left everything on the court. I think there were moments in the third set where I thought I was completely down, completely out. To be honest, physically I didn't see a way to recover. But then I managed to, I don't know from where, find a source of energy, and I think I was running on adrenaline.”
As she describes her fighting spirit, she added, “Yes, she retrieved many balls. I had to win each and every point. She didn't give me anything. I'm very proud of how I fought.” Raducanu’s performance hints that she may finally be emerging from her struggles to re-establish her footing in the professional ranks, and she now looks forward with renewed hope.
Among the other significant happenings on March 21, Novak Djokovic equalled Rafael Nadal's record for the most ATP 1000 match wins since the format's introduction in 1990, with 410 wins. Djokovic eased past Rinky Hijikata with a score of 6-0, 7-6 (1), solidifying his position in the tournament. This further establishes Djokovic's status as a key player in the tennis world while Raducanu also fights to reclaim her prominence.
As the Miami tournament progresses, both players look to build upon their recent successes, aiming for further glory.
