Emma Raducanu on the brink of rankings breakthrough after dominant Miami Open win

Emma Raducanu turned in a sparkling performance as she dismantled in-form McCartney Kessler to power into the fourth round of the Miami Open for the first time.

Kessler retired from the match while trailing 6-1 3-0 after a brief chat with the WTA trainer, but it was clear from first point to the last that Raducanu had far too much power for her.

Powering service returns with brutal brilliance, this display was a reminder of the kind of form Raducanu served up to win the 2021 US Open, with the confidence flowing for the 22-year-old Brit.

She offered up words of comfort for her opponent after the match, as the American audience in Miami appreciated her comments for her beaten American rival.

“It’s never a way any athlete wants to win a match. I wish McCartney a speedy recovery,” said Raducanu in her on-court interview.

“She’s in such good form right now. Playing so well. Playing so aggressive. We both had long last matches and, yeah, it’s a tough physical sport. I wish her all the best.”

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Raducanu expanded on her thoughts in an extended interview with Sky Sport Tennis as she admitted he was happy with all aspects of her game.

“I think I was happiest with my focus,” she stated. “That is such a big part of tennis, especially in a match like this.

“I’m playing in the third round and I haven’t been at this stage of a tournament for a while, so I’m very happy with that.

“I returned really well and from the first point, I was putting pressure on her serve. The impact that can have on a match when someone isn’t feeling great is big. I was imposing myself from the first ball.

“I look a lot of confidence from playing Emma [Navarro] in my last match. Three hours in the heat, I’m really proud of myself for the way I bounced back.

“I have had no big injuries [this year] and that’s been a big issue for me over the last few years.

“I’m also getting to more balls in the corners and I have developed the confidence and hand skills to do something with it when I get there.”

Raducanu’s best run in Miami has propelled her to within one win of a return to the top 50 of the WTA Rankings and if she can reach her first WTA 1000 quarter-final by winning her next match, she could open the door to a second major breakthrough in her career after that iconic US Open win three and a half years ago.

She is also eyeing up a move towards compatriot Katie Boulter in the rankings, as she eyes up a return to the British No 1 ranking, but she will need to get to the semi-finals in Miami if she is to reach that rankings goal this week.

This is the first time Raducanu has won three matches in succession since her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last July.

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