Emma Raducanu is coming to the Miami Open on her best streak and best win since her memorable 2021 US Open win.
Last week, under the palm trees of Indian Wells, the Briton won three consecutive games, the last two – against Magda Linette and Beatriz Haddad Maia – her best performance, in terms of rankings, since her breakthrough. They came before she was beaten in straight sets by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, but that defeat couldn’t cloud a good week for Raducanu.
Not least because the Brit estimated her condition at only 35 percent. And after her run to the last 16, she was understandably happy with her form.
“It feels good, it gives me confidence,” Raducanu said. “I think, mainly because of where I was for this tournament, I didn’t think I would play, to be honest. When I say I haven’t trained, like I haven’t trained.
“I would say there is still a long way to go, but I am definitely starting the right work now…I think I have had some good wins against some great opponents before. I have had two good weeks of training in London She’s paid off to some extent, but ultimately two weeks of training won’t cut it against the world No. 1 at the moment.
“I’m looking forward to playing her after I’ve had more time.
“Physically, I feel like that’s going to be one of my biggest assets. I think I’m going to be one of the best athletes on the tour, and that’s going to be a big part of my game.
“I would say there is still a long way to go, but I am definitely starting the right work now.”
Today she faces Bianca Andreescu, who also beat Swiatek in Indian Wells. The Canadian fared slightly better than Raducanu’s 6-3, 6-2 loss, falling short in a second-set tiebreak to eventually lose 6-3, 7-6.
Swiatek said Andreescu was difficult to play against, adding that she “had a great defense” and used a cut backhand “that was a pain to face”.
Stay here for all the action with the players hitting the court at 4pm.