Following a intense quarterfinal clash against world number four Jessica Pegula, Emma Raducanu’s impressive Miami Open career was brought to an end. Despite needing medical help near the end of the second set, the 22-year-old British tennis player displayed determination and prowess to level the match. However, Pegula reasserted her dominance to claim 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2.
In the second set, Raducanu played some of her best tennis since her record-breaking 2021 US Open victory. With a 5-2 advantage and four set points in her favor, she seemed to be dominating. But she then asked for medical help, having her blood pressure taken and applying ice towels to cool down before resuming play.
The manner in which Raducanu battled back to take the second set was a reflection of her resolve. Again, however, she was unable to keep that going, as Pegula—one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour—proved too powerful in the third set.
“It was difficult,” said Pegula, the US Open runner-up. “I just wanted to come out in the third set really strong, really quick, and pounce on her.”
With this win, the 31-year-old American moves into the semi-finals, where she will play 19-year-old Philippine Alexandra Eala. Eala extended her stunning run by recording a shocking upset over five-time major winner Iga Swiatek in the tournament earlier.
Raducanu Proves She Belongs Among the Best
Since her debut in New York over three years ago, Raducanu has been constantly questioned about her physical and mental resilience. It has been difficult for her to cope with life on the professional circuit, with injuries and increased expectations making things harder for her.
This season, she has faced setbacks already – a back injury, the loss of her coach Nick Cavaday, and an unnerving run-in with a stalker. But in Miami, she reminded the world of tennis of her enormous ability and determination.
Even with the defeat, Raducanu impressed with dominant wins over top-20 players Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova, her first quarter-final outing at a WTA 1000 tournament. She will also be proud to return to the top 50 of the WTA rankings next week.
Winning four consecutive matches at one tournament—a feat she hadn’t performed since her US Open victory—is another encouraging sign of her development. With the European clay-court swing looming on the horizon, Raducanu will be hoping to carry this momentum and discover the consistency required to compete at the top level.
A Fierce Fight Against Pegula
Raducanu seemed more comfortable in Miami, taking on a laid-back style that enabled her to play with more freedom.
Heading into the tournament, she chose against pursuing a trial relationship with Slovak coach Vladimir Platenik, instead reaching out to a cadre of trusted, familiar faces. Mark Petchey, who had coached her in her youth, joined long-time mentor Jane O’Donoghue and fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura.
This support system allowed Raducanu to remain “authentic” and “express” herself on court, and it was clear in her play versus Pegula. Her clean ball-striking and sharp movement kept her in the match with the American’s solid, error-free baseline game.
One break in the first set ultimately cost her, but she was pleased with the quality of her play. In the second set, she rewound and adopted a more aggressive mindset that worked in her favor. An important early break got her ahead, but dizziness and exhaustion crept in and forced a medical timeout.
She demonstrated remarkable determination to win serve at 6-5 despite the loss, then came up with an amazing tie-break to push the match into a deciding set. But towards the end, Pegula’s composure and experience were to prove decisive, securing her the win.
Raducanu took a step in the right direction with his play in Miami. She has every chance of competing with the world’s best on a regular basis if she continues to play like this.
