Sick Raducanu Loses Brilliant Miami Quarterfinal To Pegula After Fighting Bravely
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Emma Raducanu battled heroically before and after becoming unwell during her 2025 Miami Open quarterfinal against Jessica Pegula, but ultimately came up short.
Many feel that Raducanu has produced her best tennis since winning the 2021 US Open in Miami. She played one of the tournament's best matches against Emma Navarro, prevailing in a deciding set tiebreak.
Raducanu followed that by dominating McCartney Kessler before her opponent retired at 6-1, 3-0, and then beat Amanda Anisimova for the second time this season. That match was less than 24 hours after Anisimova's heated incident with Mirra Andreeva.
2024 US Open runner-up Pegula's route to the quarterfinal included a thrilling deciding set tiebreak win against Anna Kalinskaya in the round of 32. Despite being among the best WTA players, Pegula's understated manner means she often flies under the radar.
Raducanu and Pegula's previous meeting before the match in Miami was an exceptional match. Fans at the 2024 Eastbourne International were left mesmerized throughout their round of 16 contest. Ultimately, home favorite Raducanu triumphed 4-6, 7-6, 7-5.
The level of their Miami Open quarterfinal was even better than the encounter in Eastbourne. Both women took no time to settle into proceedings and produced clean tennis from the start.
Raducanu matched the American No. 2 during the rallies in the early stages. After the first few games, it became evident that Pegula was willing to mix up her game to try and throw the 22-year-old out of rhythm.
Pegula used the drop shot wisely and executed it well several times, used the slice, and came to the net more often than Raducanu did in the opening set, winning most of the points when she moved forward.
The pivotal moment of the first set came in the fifth game. Raducanu did not play badly during it, but Pegula found consistently excellent depth with her groundstrokes, which proved enough to break and take a 3-2 lead.
Although Pegula is not known for being a big server, she has thrived in that department in Miami, only being broken three times in her opening three matches. The 31-year-old showed those qualities by not facing a break point in a first set she won 6-4.
To Raducanu's immense credit, she did not let her head drop. The Briton, who played very well in the first set, performed even better in the second. She upped her aggression further and showed no fear.
Raducanu got a deserved reward in the fourth game when Pegula finally gave her an opening. The former US Open winner made no mistake and got her first break after some crushing groundstrokes.
It seemed like Raducanu was destined to level the match when she got to set point at 5-2 on Pegula's serve. But the fourth seed somehow dug herself out of trouble by saving four set points with a combination of good serving and calm groundstrokes.
That was when Raducanu began to feel unwell. She tried to serve out the set, but Pegula won another close game. That led to her calling the doctor to the court before choosing to take a medical timeout.
The second set went to a tiebreak after both women faced no more issues on serve. Raducanu took a 4-2 lead, winning four consecutive games from 0-2 down with some of the best hitting seen in this excellent match.
It was scarcely believable how well Raducanu was playing again after feeling so unwell a few games ago. She hit another incredible winner off a Pegula return that landed at her shoe laces and then sealed the tiebreak 7-3 and the set 7-6.
Rather than panic, Pegula used her experience and remained calm. The three-time WTA champion knew she was in a better physical state and that a drop in intensity from Raducanu could come at the start of the third set.
That is precisely what happened. Pegula took her third break point chance to go 2-0 up. The American then saved a break point to hold for 3-0. Although those games were close, Raducanu's shots did not have the same bite as the opening two sets.
The Briton never stopped fighting, but the task eventually became too much. She was clearly still feeling the after effects of becoming suddenly unwell in the second set and could not raise her game enough in the third.
Pegula broke again at 5-2, completing a 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 triumph. Both players deserve immense credit for an exceptional match. Pegula did well to keep her composure, while Raducanu can be proud of never giving up despite feeling ill.
