Miami Open: Raducanu loses in three sets, Pegula advances

Posted : 27 March 2025

Emma Raducanu’s impressive Miami Open run came to an end on Wednesday after a tough three-set loss to American Jessica Pegula. Raducanu, who had displayed some of her best tennis since her 2021 US Open victory, fought hard but fell short, with Pegula winning 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2. Pegula advances to the semi-finals where she will face wildcard Alexandra Eala, who pulled off a stunning win over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek earlier in the day. Despite the loss, Raducanu can take pride in her performance, as she battled through the match and showed significant improvement.

Pegula came out strong in the opening set, taking it 6-4, but Raducanu pushed back in the second. After a medical timeout, Raducanu rallied to win the second set in a tiebreaker. However, the humid conditions began to take a toll on the British player, and she struggled in the third set, eventually losing it 6-2. Pegula reflected on the match, acknowledging that Raducanu played well, especially in the second set, but she was determined to stay strong in the third and closed it out with a dominant performance.

The two players had met before in a thrilling three-set encounter last year at Eastbourne, where Raducanu emerged victorious. However, Pegula reversed the result in Miami, showing resilience and composure when it mattered most. She spoke fondly of playing in Miami, noting that she enjoys playing in front of the home crowd and looks forward to another chance at reaching the final. Her semi-final opponent, Alexandra Eala, will certainly make for an exciting matchup, especially after her shock win against Swiatek.

For Raducanu, despite the defeat, there were many positives to take from the tournament. Reaching her first WTA 1000 quarter-final and stringing together four consecutive wins marked a significant achievement, especially after struggling with injuries in recent seasons. Raducanu is set to move into the top 50 of the world rankings, a testament to her recent form and improvement. Her Miami run rekindled hope that she may be returning to the level of play that took her to that unforgettable US Open title.

The medical timeout Raducanu took during the match was due to heat-related issues, as she received ice packs before continuing. Given her past injury struggles, including multiple surgeries in 2023 and a recent foot issue, it is understandable that her team would be concerned. However, her ability to recover and push through the discomfort to take the second set was a promising sign of her resilience.

Raducanu’s ability to fight back, despite her physical struggles, highlights her mental toughness. She managed to challenge Pegula on a number of occasions but was ultimately undone by the American’s efficiency on the big points. Pegula saved five out of six break points, demonstrating her ability to handle pressure in crucial moments. This marks her third semi-final appearance at the Miami Open, having previously lost to Swiatek and Elena Rybakina in the earlier editions.

Looking ahead, Pegula will be hoping to finally make it to the Miami final, while Raducanu will take many valuable lessons from this match as she prepares for the upcoming European clay court season. The other semi-final will see Aryna Sabalenka face Jasmine Paolini, ensuring an exciting finish to the tournament.

Miami Open: Raducanu loses in three sets, Pegula advances

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