‘I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER SEEN EMMA RADUCANU PLAY QUITE THAT WELL’ – FORMER BRITISH NO 1 AFTER MIAMI OPEN WIN
Former British No 1 Annabel Croft has described Emma Raducanu’s third round performance at the 2025 Miami Open as “breathtaking.”
Raducanu was leading McCartney Kessler 6-1, 3-0 after just 42 minutes when her 48th-ranked opponent was forced to retire due to an injury.
The world No 60 broke the 25-year-old American in all five of her service games and won the last eight games.
After entering Miami with a 3-6 record in 2025, Raducanu has kickstarted her season with three straight victories at the WTA 1000 tournament.
Raducanu dismantled Sayaka Ishii in the opening round before overcoming world No 10 Emma Navarro in a pulsating second round encounter.
The 22-year-old Brit will face world No 17 Amanda Anisimova — who downed Mirra Andreeva in the third round — in the last 16.
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Croft suggested she had never seen Raducanu play as well as she did against Kessler.
“It was absolutely breathtaking right from the word go, just middling the ball, just beautiful ball-striking,” said the former world No 24.
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“It started not just for the service games, but those returns of serve got into the head of her opponent. She just started outhitting her after one long exchange early on.
“You could just see the evaporation of confidence down at the other end. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her play quite that well the way that she did for those nine games.”
Raducanu has credited a different approach for helping her find her best tennis in Miami.
“I think it’s a different approach this week,” the 2021 US Open winner said in her on-court interview. “I think five minutes before the match I was playing spike ball with the team. It helps me to relax.
“When I’m playing my best tennis I’m really expressing my personality. I’d say I’m a bit of a free spirit so I don’t need restrictions or being told what to do. I think when I’m being really authentic, that’s when I’m playing my best.
“My movement is pretty good right now. I think I’m defending better and I’m returning really well. I’m pretty happy with most areas of my game. It’s just something that I’m looking to try and keep improving which will set up some stability.”
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