Emma Raducanu is enjoying her best tournament run since her stunning victory at the 2021 US Open, as she has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. This marks her first appearance in the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event, and she has achieved the remarkable feat of winning four consecutive matches at the same tournament for the first time since her grand slam triumph in New York.
In her last-16 match, Raducanu faced off against 17th seed Amanda Anisimova, securing a decisive victory that showcased her growing confidence. Prior to this, she had also defeated eighth seed Emma Navarro and McCartney Kessler, who retired from their match while trailing 6-1, 3-0. The 22-year-old Briton has recently ended her coaching trial with Vladimir Platenik and has been working with former mentors Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue during the tournament. Raducanu expressed that she has found “trust” and “fun” off the court, which has allowed her to “express” her game and reach the quarter-finals.
Raducanu’s next challenge is a quarter-final match against fourth seed Jessica Pegula, another American opponent, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The match is scheduled to take place fourth on the main Hard Rock Stadium court, with a start time not before 11 PM UK time (7 PM local time). Fans are eager to see how Raducanu will perform against Pegula, especially considering their previous encounters.
In their last meeting, Raducanu triumphed over Pegula on the grass courts of Eastbourne last year, marking her first win against a top-10 opponent. However, Pegula won their only other encounter on hard courts during the Cincinnati Open in 2022. The stakes are high, as the winner of the Raducanu-Pegula match will face either Iga Swiatek or Alexandra Eala in the semi-finals. Raducanu has faced Swiatek four times and has lost all those matches, while Eala is enjoying her best run at a tournament after surprising Madison Keys in the last 16.
This impressive run comes on the heels of a challenging start to the 2025 season for Raducanu, who had previously lost four consecutive matches early in the year. Following a defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Qatar, she found herself with a disappointing 2-4 record, leading many fans to question whether the former Grand Slam champion could return to her previous form.
However, Raducanu’s recent performances in Miami have silenced critics and showcased her potential. Tim Henman, a former ATP legend, shared his thoughts on Raducanu’s recent improvements, particularly regarding her fitness. Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Henman noted, "When you reflect post-US Open 2021 when she qualified and won it, she didn’t have the physicality to keep competing; she was breaking down with injuries. Now she’s worked incredibly hard on that fitness side, and she’s built that resilience to be out on tour.”
Henman further emphasized that while results earlier in the season may not have reflected her hard work, Raducanu's dedication to her fitness has laid a solid foundation for her current success. “Her tennis level, I never doubt that, but I think she’s got the foundation to build from,” he stated.
As Raducanu prepares for her match against Pegula, she enters the contest as the underdog, a position that Henman believes she often thrives in. “I think she goes into that match as the underdog,” he remarked. “But I think that’s how Emma quite likes it sometimes.”
Jonathan Overend, another tennis pundit, also weighed in on Raducanu's chances against Pegula, expressing optimism about her performance. “I think Emma Raducanu is playing well enough to cause another upset,” Overend said. He highlighted the excitement surrounding British tennis and noted, “After what happened with Jack Draper in Indian Wells, wouldn’t it be an amazing British tennis double if Raducanu could go all the way in Miami?”
With the anticipation building for her quarter-final match, Raducanu's journey through the Miami Open has captivated fans and analysts alike. Her ability to overcome early-season struggles and find her footing in such a prestigious tournament speaks volumes about her resilience and determination.
As the match against Pegula approaches, all eyes will be on Raducanu to see if she can continue her impressive run and secure a spot in the semi-finals. The Miami Open has become a stage for her to demonstrate her growth and potential as a player, and fans are hopeful that she can deliver another outstanding performance.
In summary, Emma Raducanu is on a remarkable journey at the Miami Open, where she has reached the quarter-finals for the first time in her career. After a rough start to the season, she has found her rhythm and confidence, and now faces a crucial match against Jessica Pegula. With the support of her coaches and a renewed sense of purpose, Raducanu is ready to take on the challenge and potentially make history once again.
