Emma Raducanu reaches the quarter-finals in Miami after a series of devastating displays of dominance. But has she re-found her Grand Slam winning form?
It’s fair to say that things have not been easy for Emma Raducanu since she won the 2021 US Open at the age of only 18.
A series of unfortunate injuries and off-court dramas have seen people’s beliefs waver in Britain’s most recent Grand Slam Champion. But as many of you will be delighted to hear, it seems her form is starting to return.
A fantastic display against 17th seed Amanda Anisimova saw Raducanu triumph 6-1, 6-3 in a little over an hour, with Raducanu not dropping a single point on serve in a first set that lasted only 24 minutes.
Victory over Anisimova marked Raducanu’s third American scalp in Miami and marked her best run at a WTA event since winning the US Open. She will, however, need to make it a fourth as she takes on home favourite and world number four Jessia Pegula for a place in the semi-finals.
Raducanu brought attention to her improved game by saying:
"The biggest thing I'm proud of is just finding the competitive spirit and being there for every ball and drawing that out of myself." "I think that's kind of been missing in the last few months and even a few years at times."
Prior to this tournament, Raducanu had lost five of six matches since getting demolished by Swiatek at the Australian Open. But since departing with her coach Vladimir Platenik (a partnership that lasted only two weeks), things look to be on the up for Raducanu.
"I've come a long way in the last week since Indian Wells; I wasn't necessarily feeling great about my tennis, about everything," the 22-year-old informed Sky Sports.
Raducanu’s performance against Anisimova was extremely impressive, but she will have to play even better if she is to beat Pegula, who has also been playing some fine tennis of late.
Nevertheless, it is excellent to see Raducanu look happy on a tennis court again. Hopefully a happy Raducanu can equal further success in Miami, beyond that? The sky will remain the limit for one of tennis’ most talented prospects.
Wimbledon is only around the corner...
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