Emma Raducanu has stormed into her first quarter-final at a WTA 1,000 event with an impressive straight-set win over the 17th seed, Amanda Anisimova, in Miami.
From the very start, the British tennis sensation displayed exceptional form against her American rival, seizing the first set in a mere 24 minutes on her way to a commanding 6-1, 6-3 victory.
This marks the first time since her remarkable US Open victory in 2021 that Raducanu has secured four consecutive main-draw victories in a WTA event. Her dominance was evident as she skillfully dismantled Anisimova’s game.
Before this tournament, Raducanu had a rocky stretch, losing five of her last six matches following the Australian Open. She also made headlines last week by parting ways with her coach, Vladimir Platenik, after a brief two-week partnership.
Reflecting on her progress, the 22-year-old shared with Sky Sports, “I’ve come a long way in the last week since Indian Wells. My confidence in my tennis wasn’t at its highest. But now, I have a great group of people around me who I trust and enjoy spending time with off the court. That makes a huge difference.”
Continuing, she said, “When I’m at my best, it’s because I’m genuinely being myself and letting my creativity flow. If I’m stuck in a rigid pattern, it stifles that expression. I’m glad I’ve recognized that this week.”
In the match, Raducanu broke Anisimova’s serve right out of the gate and powered through the opening set without dropping a point during her own service games. Her return game was particularly impressive, consistently placing pressure on Anisimova’s serve.
As the first set progressed, Anisimova grew visibly frustrated and appeared hindered by an issue with her right wrist. Despite looking better after a medical timeout, she couldn’t stop Raducanu from breaking serve again to lead 3-1 in the second set.
Although the American fought back with a break of her own, Raducanu showcased her tenacity once more, breaking again and confidently serving out the match.
Raducanu remarked, “I just knew I had to fight for every ball and make it as physically demanding as possible because I believed in my strength. I’m pleased with how I moved out there, extending rallies from the first game and getting into my opponent’s head.”
Her next challenge will be against the world number four, Jessica Pegula, who recently defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-3 to secure her spot in the last eight.
