Emma Raducanu hopes to express herself in the ‘battle of Emma’s’ in the second round of the Miami Open
Emma Raducanu to face American star Emma Navarro for the first time in her career in the second round of the Miami Open.
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Emma Raducanu and Emma Navarro (via X/Tennis Letter)
Emma Raducanu put behind her horrible start to the season at the Miami Open by winning her first career match in the tournament. The British star, who has been heavily criticized for not being intense and aggressive enough on the court is now seeking to do so in the second round against Emma Navarro.
Raducanu arrived in Miami on the back of a disappointing opening round exit at the Indian Wells in California. There, she was stunned by Moyuka Uchijima in straight sets. The exit led her to slip to World No.60 falling out of the Top 50. On Wednesday (March 19), the British star handled her first round business after dominating wildcard Sayaka Ishii 6-2, 6-1 in just an hour.
The win now was her second since the Australian Open and takes her into the second round to face Navarro. The 21-year-old will face an in-form Navarro who won the WTA 500 tournament in Merida earlier this month. The meeting between the two will be the first time they will face each other in the WTA circuit.
However, ahead of the clash, Raducanu believes that she has what it takes to claim a win over the American. The British star revealed that it would be a challenging match and added that she loves Navarro’s personality off the court.
It’s going to be an extremely challenging match. She’s probably in better form, so I can go out and express myself and try and compete for every point… She is a great person. On the Tour, one of the people you’d warm to and say, ‘Hi. It’s going to be a double Emma’s or whatever.’
Emma Raducanu said during her on-court interview
Navarro has won only one match in the Sunshine Double. The American won her opening match in Indian Wells but then succumbed to a defeat against Donna Vekic in the third round, she will be eager to bounce back and reach the later stages of the Miami Open.
Emma Raducanu reveals her preferred hard court after first career win in Miami
Emma Raducanu has struggled on the hard court this season. Since winning her first two consecutive matches at the Australian Open, she has failed to hit form. She was asked about why she played better at the Miami Open than Indian Wells. The British star revealed that it has nothing to do with different courts but depends on what time she has to play.
I think the courts are pretty lively when the balls are new but they rough up quite quickly and then they get very slow and heavy. It depends what time of day, because in the shadow it is also slower and then in the sun it’s a lot more lively. It depends. It’s difficult when the balls get fluffier because it’s just slower and a lot more physical but it’s the same for everyone.
Emma Raducanu said after her match
The World No.60 recently parted ways with her coach, Vladimir Platenik, just after 14 days. It was Raducanu’s seventh split with a coach in the past three years. The British star’s lack of consistent partnership with a coach has cost her a lot on the court.
Emma Raducanu’s poor record against Top 10 players
Emma Raducanu has struggled with Top 10 opponents for the majority of her career. Despite being a former World No.10 star, she lost her first seven matches against players in the WTA elite. She only made her breakthrough at the 2024 Eastbourne Open last year when she defeated Jessica Pegula in three sets in the Round of 16.
She then backed it up with a win over Maria Sakkari in the Wimbledon Championship. However, her recent display against Top 10 players has been miles away from impressive. She was defeated by Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Australian Open. She will now hope to put almost that behind her and aim to beat 8th seed Emma Navarro at the Miami Open.
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