Emma Raducanu staged a remarkable comeback to secure one of the most significant victories of her career, defeating eighth seed Emma Navarro 7-6 (6), 2-6, 7-6 (3) in a dramatic battle at the Miami Open. The win marked her first career victory over a top-10 opponent on hard courts and provided a much-needed confidence boost after a string of disappointing results.
Struggling physically in the final set, Raducanu appeared to be on the brink of defeat. She limped between rallies, her movement hampered, and her intensity visibly waned. However, despite the mounting challenges, she refused to give in, displaying remarkable resilience and determination.
The match started positively for Raducanu as she played with clarity and confidence, particularly on her forehand. Her serve, which had been a liability in recent matches, was more effective, allowing her to stay competitive against Navarro’s steady and consistent play. Although Navarro had opportunities to take the opening set, she faltered under pressure, allowing Raducanu to edge it in a tiebreak.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set as Raducanu’s energy levels dropped. Her movement became sluggish, and she struggled to keep up with Navarro’s relentless baseline exchanges. As the American took control, Raducanu’s frustrations grew, and she surrendered the set with little resistance.
Before the final set, Raducanu received medical attention for blisters on her left foot, but the treatment initially seemed to have little effect. She lost her serve immediately and trailed 1-3. However, she refused to back down, finding a renewed sense of determination that unsettled Navarro. The American’s composure wavered, and her forehand became increasingly erratic. Raducanu capitalized on this, winning five consecutive games to take a 5-3 lead.
Yet, the match remained unpredictable. Navarro fought back, eventually serving for victory at 6-5, but Raducanu continued to press forward. The final set culminated in a tense tiebreak, where Raducanu’s aggressive shot-making proved decisive. Taking control of the rallies, she struck the ball cleanly in crucial moments, securing a hard-fought win.
Reflecting on the match, Raducanu expressed pride in her perseverance, particularly in overcoming exhaustion. She acknowledged that she had to fight for every point and remain aggressive, knowing that trying to outlast Navarro in extended rallies would not be a viable strategy.
This victory came shortly after Raducanu’s decision to end her trial coaching partnership with Vladimir Platenik. Despite the coaching change, she credited her recent work and training for helping her achieve this result.
Elsewhere in the Miami Open, Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round with a 6-0, 7-6 (1) victory over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata. The fourth seed will next face world No. 69 Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
