Emma Raducanu showcased her formidable skills as she dominated McCartney Kessler, who retired midway through the second set at the Miami Open on Sunday. Raducanu was ahead with a commanding score of 6-1, 3-0 when Kessler requested a medical intervention before opting to withdraw due to a lower back injury.
After initially dropping her opening service game, Raducanu bounced back to claim eight consecutive games, leading to Kessler’s exit from the match.
Following her impressive victory over Emma Navarro—her first against a top-10 player—Raducanu is set to face either Mirra Andreeva or Amanda Anisimova in the last 16 on Monday. She is scheduled to play third on Butch Buchholz at around 7 PM.
“I think I approached this week differently,” she stated in her on-court interview. “Five minutes before my match, I was playing spike ball with the team, which helps me relax.”
“When I’m playing my best tennis, I’m expressing my personality. I consider myself a free spirit; restrictions don’t work for me. Being authentic boosts my level of play,” she added.
Raducanu also noted, “My movement feels good right now. I’m defending and returning well. I’m working to improve and create stability in my game.”
In a conversation, she expressed satisfaction with her focus during her convincing win over Kessler and embraced the role of an underdog in the upcoming match.
“I was very pleased with my focus today. That’s crucial in tennis, especially in a match like this one,” Raducanu reflected. “Reaching the third round feels great, especially since it’s been a while since I’ve been here. From the first point, I applied pressure on her serve and set the tone for my game.”
She added, “I’m proud of the effort my team and I have put in and the environment we’ve cultivated.” Raducanu acknowledged the hard work with her fitness coach is paying off, noting, “I haven’t faced major injuries lately, which has been a significant hurdle for me in past years, and thankfully, my body feels good.”
She remarked, “I’m thrilled to string together some good performances, and regardless of who I face next, I will relish being the underdog.”
In another highlight, six-time champion Novak Djokovic achieved a record milestone with his 411th ATP Masters 1000 win after defeating Camilo Ugo Carabelli in straight sets. Djokovic, who previously matched Rafael Nadal, continued to set records with a dominant performance, showcasing 10 aces and controlling the match with a score of 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).
This success sets up a last-16 tie for Djokovic against Lorenzo Musetti, further adding to his impressive career achievements.
In women’s news, former champion Iga Swiatek celebrated another significant milestone by defeating Elise Mertens to reach the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for a record 25th consecutive time. Swiatek shared insights into her emotional challenges over the past months in a social media post, addressing the pressures of public scrutiny and expressing the need for supportive fans.
Swiatek will next face Ukrainian 22nd seed Elina Svitolina, who secured her place in the next round with a win over Karolina Muchova.
In a surprising turn, Australian Open champion Madison Keys was eliminated by Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala, who will next compete against Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa.
Stay updated with the latest ATP and WTA Tour developments, including the upcoming US Open, on ECNETNews.
