S Poddar
Emma Raducanu’s gallant run in the Miami Open ended with a tough quarter-final battle against fourth-ranked world Jessica Pegula. The 22-year-old British sensation displayed exceptional grit, even needing medical help towards the end of the second set, but eventually succumbed as Pegula asserted her dominance to claim a 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2 win.
Raducanu produced some of her best tennis since her miraculous 2021 US Open victory, especially in the second set. With a dominant 5-2 advantage and four set points to her name, she appeared on the brink of forcing a tie. But she quickly summoned medical attention, having her blood pressure taken and applying ice towels to cool down before returning to the court.
Her effort to fight back and take the second set indicated her grit and determination. Nevertheless, Pegula, who has been one of the most reliable players on the WTA Tour, was too much in the last set with clinical accuracy.
“It was hard,” declared Pegula, who became the US Open runner-up. “I just needed to come out in the third set really aggressively, really quick, and attack her.”
With this win, the 31-year-old American makes it to the semi-finals, where she will play 19-year-old Philippine Alexandra Eala. Eala continued her impressive streak by shocking five-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek in a stunning upset in the tournament.
Raducanu Proves She Belongs Among the Best
Since her New York breakthrough over three years ago, Raducanu has been subjected to constant questioning about her physical and mental stamina. It has not been easy to adjust to life on the professional circuit, with injuries and increased pressure compounding her difficulties.
This season has already brought its fair share of disappointments, including a back injury, the loss of her coach Nick Cavaday, and a disturbing run-in with a stalker. But her Miami performance was a stark reminder of her talent and grit.
In spite of the defeat, Raducanu recorded strong victories against top-20 players Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova, reaching her maiden quarter-final at a WTA 1000 tournament. She will also pride herself on re-entering the top 50 of the WTA rankings next week.
Winning four in a row at one tournament—something she hadn’t accomplished since her US Open victory—is another sign of improvement. With the European clay-court season approaching, she will look to carry this momentum forward and establish the consistency required to play at the highest level.
A Fierce Fight Against Pegula
Raducanu looked more assured in Miami, opting for a calm style that enabled her to play with more freedom.
Before the event, she decided against pursuing her trial partnership with Slovak coach Vladimir Platenik and instead stuck with a close-knit team of familiar names. Mark Petchey, who coached her as a teenager, took up position alongside long-time mentor Jane O’Donoghue and fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura to offer advice.
This support system enabled Raducanu to remain “authentic” and “express” herself on the court, which was seen during her game against Pegula. Her tidy ball-striking and crisp movement kept her in touch with the American’s steady, mistake-free baseline game.
One break of serve in the first set was ultimately to be decisive, but Raducanu was encouraged by the standard of her game. Changing her tactics in the second set, she played more positively and it paid dividends. A key early break enabled her to take charge, albeit as dizziness and tiredness started to catch up, necessitating a medical timeout.
Despite the setback, she displayed remarkable grit to hold serve for 6-5 before producing a brilliant tie-break to force a deciding set. However, Pegula’s experience and consistency ultimately proved too much, as she secured victory in the final stretch.
Raducanu’s performance in Miami signals significant progress. If she continues on this path, she has every chance of competing with the world’s best on a consistent basis.
