Emma Raducanu Hits Top 30 Milestone at China Open
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has provisionally climbed back into the WTA top 30 for the first time since September 2022, marking a significant resurgence in her career rankings. This achievement came after a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Cristina Bucsa in the second round of the China Open on September 27, 2025, propelling her to No. 29 in the live WTA rankings with 1,563 points—level with Veronika Kudermetova.
Key Details of the Milestone
– **Pre-Tournament Position**: Raducanu entered Beijing ranked No. 32, already on the cusp of improvement after No. 29 Anna Kalinskaya’s early exit bumped her to No. 31 live.
– **Post-Match Impact**: The win over Bucsa secured her spot inside the top 30, her highest placement since dropping out of it following a first-round loss at the 2022 US Open.
– **Career Context**: At her peak, Raducanu reached No. 10 in August 2021 after her historic Grand Slam triumph. Injuries and form dips saw her slide outside the top 50 in 2022, but 2025 has been a breakthrough year with consistent deep runs.
Her 2025 Season So Far
Raducanu’s climb reflects a strong resurgence:
– **Australian Open**: Reached the third round for the first time, defeating No. 26 Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova.
– **Washington Open**: Semi-finalist, with a standout quarter-final win over Maria Sakkari—her 21st victory of the year, surpassing her previous seasonal best.
– **Canadian Open**: Third-round appearance, adding to her momentum ahead of the US hard-court swing.
– **Queen’s Club (WTA 500)**: Quarter-finalist, boosting her ranking further.
– **Points Earned**: 1,245 WTA Race points by late July (excluding Canada), already exceeding her full 2024 total (1,025) and signaling her best year since 2021.
| Tournament | Best Result | Ranking Impact |
|————|————-|—————-|
| Australian Open | 3R | Steady climb from off-season injury recovery |
| Washington Open | SF | Jumped to No. 33; 21st win of 2025 |
| Canadian Open | 3R | Consolidated top-40 position |
| China Open (ongoing) | 3R (so far) | Provisional No. 29; top-30 return |
Next Steps
Raducanu, now the British No. 1 and seeded in Beijing, faces a tough third-round matchup against US Open semi-finalist Jessica Pegula (head-to-head: Pegula leads 2-1, but Raducanu won their last meeting in Eastbourne 2024). A win could solidify her top-30 spot ahead of the WTA Finals race and position her for a seeded draw at the 2026 Australian Open. Under new coach Francis Roig since August 2025, she’s emphasized consistency and fitness, crediting trainer Yutaka Nakamura for her physical edge.
This milestone underscores Raducanu’s return to elite form at 22, with fans and analysts eyeing a potential top-20 push by year’s end.
