Emma Raducanu stuns Emma Navarro in Miami Open thriller - as it happened
Raducanu dug deep to win a deciding tiebreak and reach the third round of the Miami Open
Emma Raducanu fought back from the brink to seal her first win against a top-10 opponent in eight months by beating Emma Navarro in three sets at the Miami Open.
Raducanu, world number 60, was a point away from trailing 4-1 in the final set and overcame fatigue to win a titanic struggle 7-6 (8) 2-6 7-6 (3) against eighth-seeded American Navarro.
The British number two's mammoth victory saw her win against a top-10 player on a hard court for the first time in her career.
Raducanu, who beat Japan's world number 188 Sayaka Ishii 6-2 6-1 in the opening round, parted company with coach Vlado Platenik after a 14-day trial before the tournament.
But there was no adverse reaction against world number 10 Navarro and Raducanu's aggression in the closing stages was rewarded.
Raducanu to play another American next
After beating Emma Navarro, Raducanu will play another American in the third round of the Miami Open.
She will face McCartney Kessler, ranked 48th in the world, on Sunday for a place in the last-16. Kessler defeated Linda Noskova earlier.
Raducanu finds a 'third wind' to beat Navarro in classic
"I'm really proud of how I managed to find a third wind. I was absolutely exhausted in the second set and thought my legs were going to stop.
"In the third set I used a lot of emotion. I've gone through a lot and told myself I'd been through too much to leave it to her. I just fought every single point.
"I'd say it's number one (win of the year) because Emma is a top-10. I haven't beaten one this year, this is my first one. She made me work so hard for every point. I had to fight, scrap and be aggressive."
How the match was won
Raducanu snatched a high-quality opening set, surviving two set points against her as she fought back from 6-4 down in the tie-break to win it 8-6 and draw first blood.
Navarro, US Open semi-finalist last year, responded in fine style to seal a double break on her way to a 5-2 lead in the second set as a tiring Raducanu lost her intensity.
The American easily served out to take the second set 6-2 in 37 minutes and Raducanu, who had appeared close to cramping up, needed ice on her legs before the decider.
The British number two quickly fell 2-0 down in the deciding set after being broken for the fourth time in the match and looked down and out when trailing 3-1.
But she rediscovered her energy and after staving off two more break points to make it 3-2 instead of 4-1, Raducanu then reeled off four straight games to lead 5-3.
Navarro battled back to force the tie-break but Raducanu continued to go for her shots and clinched victory in just under three hours.
Raducanu digs deep in Miami heat
Raducanu was the underdog against the in-form American but impressively held her nerve to win the opening set, saving two set points to win the tiebreak.
But Navarro took charge in the second set, improving her level as Raducanu began to look heavy on her feet in the Miami heat.
The 22-year-old received treatment for blisters on the soles of both of her feet before the third set and Navarro immediately found the break of serve in the decider.
But from there Raducanu responded, finding the belief to stage a remarkable comeback.
Next up for Raducanu after reaching Miami Open third round
After reaching the third round, Raducanu will play either Linda Noskova or McCartney Kessler.
Raducanu has a good chance of reaching the fourth round now - in what would bring a huge ranking jump.
Emma Raducanu speaks on court after reaching third round
“I really have no idea how I won that. I don’t know what just happened. It was a match full of ups and downs.
“Emma is a top opponent. She is top-10 and she reaches so many balls. She made it physical and the conditions were difficult. The atmosphere was incredible - two Emmas on court, everyone was cheering for Emma.
“The body is ok. I felt like my legs stopped working in the second set. It was really hot and there was a lot of friction. I don’t know how I pulled that out.”
Emma Raducanu beats Emma Navarro in thriller!
How on earth did that happen?! Raducanu was struggling at the end of the second set and looked to be beaten at the start of the third.
She was struggling with blisters and trailed, only to turn it around and lead 5-3. Then, it turned again and Navarro served at 6-5, but Raducanu clawed back to force the tiebreak.
The level from Raducanu was excellent. What a rollercoaster!
Emma Raducanu 7-6 2-6 7-6 Emma Navarro
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
That is a stunning win for Emma Raducanu! She finishes in style! On match point, she thumps the forehand winner crosscourt!
A top-10 win!
Emma Raducanu 7-6 2-6 6-6 Emma Navarro - TIEBREAK!
Raducanu extends her lead to 5-2 behind a couple of attacking points.
Navarro finds the forehand crosscourt. 5-3.
Emma Raducanu 7-6 2-6 6-6 Emma Navarro - TIEBREAK!
A strong serve from Raducanu down the middle. Navarro floats the return long.
A chance for Raducanu but she overcooks the drive volley! Back on serve. 3-2 to Raducanu.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
1Comments