Emma Raducanu has learned her first-round opponent for the Miami Open, while Katie Boulter faces a potential showdown with Iga Swiatek later in the tournament. The British duo have already arrived in Florida to prepare for the WTA 1000 event, which kicks off on Tuesday, as they look to become the first UK players since Johanna Konta in 2017 to claim the title in Miami.
Raducanu has been handed a relatively straightforward opening match against 19-year-old qualifier Sayaka Ishii, ranked 212th in the world and in her rookie season on the WTA Tour. If she advances, she will face eighth seed Emma Navarro in the second round, hoping to improve on her early exit in Indian Wells. With a favorable draw, Raducanu could avoid major tests until the round of 16, where Jessica Pegula may be waiting.
Boulter, meanwhile, begins her campaign against American Peyton Stearns, who reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2023 and made it to the second round in Miami last year. Boulter will take confidence from her own strong run in the tournament last year, when she reached the fourth round. However, she could face a tough challenge in the third round, where world No. 2 Swiatek awaits if she overcomes Elise Mertens in the second round.
Both Raducanu and Boulter will be looking to bounce back after disappointing performances in Indian Wells. Raducanu suffered a first-round loss to Moyuka Uchijima (6-3, 6-2), while Boulter made it to the second round before falling to Elena Rybakina.
Top contenders in Miami include defending champion Danielle Collins, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and French Open winner Coco Gauff, all of whom, along with Swiatek, have received byes into the second round.
Raducanu will be eager to continue her steady progress since returning from injury in January, as she works her way back toward the top 50. The 2021 US Open champion has slipped to world No. 60, far from her career-high ranking of No. 10 in July 2022. A deep run in Miami could provide a much-needed boost as she looks to rebuild after two injury-plagued seasons. Her last appearance at the Hard Rock Stadium ended in a first-round defeat to Bianca Andreescu in 2023, and she will be determined to produce a stronger showing this time around.
