Emma Raducanu has won four matches in a row for the first time since her shock US Open triumph in 2021, reaching her first WTA 1,000 quarter-final after a dominant performance against Amanda Anisimova at the Miami Open. In a display of solid tennis, Raducanu defeated the 17th seed with a resounding 6-1, 6-3 victory on March 24, 2025. This impressive win highlights her return to form, which follows a challenging period where she lost five of her last six matches, including the recent Australian Open, and ended her brief partnership with coach Vladimir Platenik just weeks before the tournament.
From the onset of the match, Raducanu showcased her skills, breaking Anisimova's serve in the opening game and sweeping through the first set without losing a single point on her serve. Anisimova, who had previously reached the semi-finals of the French Open at just 17 years old and won her first WTA 1,000 title last month at the Qatar Open, struggled to find her rhythm throughout the match. She required a medical timeout mid-way through the second set for treatment on a right wrist issue, which added to her frustration on the court.
Raducanu boasted an impressive return game that continuously pressured Anisimova, frustrating the American player. As the match progressed, the younger player could not seem to recover her focus and eventually succumbed to Raducanu's relentless style. In the second set, despite Anisimova breaking back after Raducanu initially extended her lead to 3-1, the Briton again regained control to serve out the match confidently.
Raducanu expressed her thoughts post-match, stating, “I’ve come a long way in the last week since Indian Wells; I wasn’t necessarily feeling great about my tennis, about everything. This week I have some really good people around me who I trust and who I have fun with off the court as well.” This collaboration with trusted team members seems to have played a crucial role in Raducanu’s resurgence, as she emphasized the importance of being true to herself on the court. “When I play my best I am definitely authentic, true to myself and creative,” she added. “I feel when I’m boxed into a regimented way then I am not able to express myself in the same way.”
In the aftermath of the match, Raducanu received enthusiastic applause, a testament to her elevated status as she reached this critical stage of the tournament. After making notable progress in her performance at the Miami Open, she is now poised to return to the top 50 rankings for the first time since undergoing surgery on both wrists and her ankle last year. This is a significant personal achievement for Raducanu as she continues to battle back to her peak form.
Looking ahead, Raducanu is set to face either Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk or American world number four Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals, promising to be an exciting matchup regardless of the opponent. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, also advanced to the quarter-finals after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over defending champion Danielle Collins, with both matches showcasing the intense competition among the world’s best players.
In other significant results at the Miami Open, Italian Jasmine Paolini staged an impressive comeback against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, progressing with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, the rising star Coco Gauff faced disappointment as she was eliminated by Poland's Magda Linette in a tightly contested match, finishing 6-4, 6-4.
On the men's side, Alexander Zverev overcame a slow start to edge past Australia's Jordan Thompson with a score of 7-5, 6-4, while Taylor Fritz moved on with a win against Denis Shapovalov at 7-5, 6-3. Unfortunately for American Tommy Paul, he was defeated by Francisco Cerundolo in a 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) contest.
As the competition continues to unfold at the Miami Open, all eyes will be on Raducanu as she aims to make further strides in the tournament and cement her place among the elite in women's tennis.
