Emma Raducanu to Begin Madrid Open Campaign Against Suzan Lamens with Aryna Sabalenka as Potential Quarter-Final Opponent
British No. 2 Emma Raducanu is set to open her 2025 Madrid Open campaign against Dutch world No. 69 Suzan Lamens, with a potential blockbuster quarter-final clash against Aryna Sabalenka on the horizon.
Raducanu, currently ranked world No. 47, has been preparing on the red clay in Madrid. Her first-round opponent, Lamens, comes into the tournament in solid form after reaching the semi-finals of the Open de Rouen, where she was defeated by third seed Olga Danilovic.
The 22-year-old Brit arrives in Madrid following an impressive run to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, where she recorded one of her best performances since winning the 2021 US Open, including a notable win over top-10 star Emma Navarro. Her journey ended at the hands of world No. 4 Jessica Pegula.
Raducanu’s Projected Madrid Open Draw:
- R1: Suzan Lamens
- R2: Marta Kostyuk
- R3: Paula Badosa or Veronika Kudermetova
- R4: Qinwen Zheng or Sofia Kenin
- QF: Aryna Sabalenka or Amanda Anisimova
- SF: Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina or Ons Jabeur
- Final: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva or Madison Keys
Raducanu is also in search of a permanent coach after recently working with former mentors Jane O’Donoghue and Mark Petchey during her Miami campaign.
Henman on Raducanu: Physical Resilience is Key
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman expressed optimism about Raducanu’s trajectory, emphasizing the importance of building a strong physical foundation.
“She talks about being authentic and having fun, and that shows on court. She’s doing things her own way—changing coaches, trying new approaches,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
“But for me, the priority is her physical resilience. She won a Grand Slam before building that base, which is rare. Now she’s competing more consistently, and that’s promising.”
Robson: Clay Could Benefit Her Game
Laura Robson believes clay could be a great platform for Raducanu to grow tactically, despite her limited clay-court experience in 2024, when she skipped French Open qualifying to prepare for grass season.
“Clay helps you develop every aspect of your game,” Robson said. “Tactically, it forces players to adapt and stay patient, especially in slow conditions. Madrid’s altitude and pace make it unique—it could really suit Emma.”
Watch the Madrid Open Live on Sky Sports
British stars Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, and Raducanu will all compete in Madrid, alongside global icons like Novak Djokovic, who will be coached by Andy Murray during the tournament.
Catch live coverage of the ATP and WTA Tours, including the Madrid Open and US Open, on Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports+, and NOW. Sky Sports subscribers now have access to over 50% more live sports content in 2025 at no extra cost.
