Emma Raducanu wins to reach last 16 at Indian Wells
In an impressive display, Emma Raducanu triumphed over Beatriz Haddad Maia in a thrilling third-round match at Indian Wells, winning 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
The British number one started strong, breaking Haddad Maia twice to take the first set. However, Raducanu then dropped her serve twice, allowing her Brazilian opponent to level in the second set. In the decisive third set, Raducanu’s exceptional tennis enabled her to break Haddad Maia in the seventh game and then serve out for the match.
This victory against the world number 13 is Raducanu’s first against a top-20 player since her US Open triumph in 2021.
Despite struggling with illness and a recurring wrist injury, Raducanu decided to compete in the tournament just 20 minutes before her first match. In her earlier matches, she defeated Danka Kovinic and Magda Linette, before facing a more challenging opponent in Haddad Maia. However, her aggressive play helped her secure a hard-fought victory after two hours and 19 minutes of play. Raducanu, who is currently ranked 77th in the women’s rankings, will now face world number one Iga Swiatek or Bianca Andreescu in the last 16.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu expressed her happiness with the way she fought and dug in during the third set. She acknowledged dropping her intensity in the second set, but was pleased with how she managed to regain her focus and intensity to come back in the third. “For me, it’s pretty amazing,” she said, “I haven’t really prepared for this tournament or practiced, so to come out and play at this level and be competitive is a great sign for me.”
In other matches, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Paula Badosa 6-3, 7-5, while Caroline Garcia progressed to the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-1 victory over Leylah Fernandez.