Emma Raducanu pulled off an incredible comeback at the Miami Open, securing her first-ever win against a top-10 opponent on a hardcourt—despite competing without an official coach.
The British No. 2 edged past world No. 10 Emma Navarro in a thrilling three-set battle, winning 7-6, 2-6, 7-6. The match saw Raducanu take the first-set tiebreak before struggling in the second, requiring a medical timeout for blisters on both feet. Trailing 1-3 in the decider, she fought back to win four consecutive games, eventually clinching victory with a service winner on her first match point.
“I have no idea how I won that,” Raducanu admitted. “It was an unbelievable match—so physical, full of ups and downs. I played every point like my life depended on it.”
The victory comes just after Raducanu parted ways with coach Vlado Platenik. Instead, she relied on the support of former coach Mark Petchey and mentor Jane O’Donoghue.
“I came here with someone, but it didn’t work out. Luckily, I have friends who know me and my game so well. I trusted my gut, and that’s how I got through it,” she said.
The 21-year-old has now beaten three top-10 players in her career, having previously defeated Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari—both on grass. However, she never faced a top-10 opponent during her historic 2021 US Open run.
Despite battling physical exhaustion, Raducanu showed resilience: “My legs stopped working in the second set. The heat, the friction from my shoes—it was tough. I don’t know how I pulled through.”
With this milestone victory, Raducanu sends a strong message to the tennis world: even without a coach, she remains a formidable force.
