Emma Raducanu survived an epic two-hour and 53-minute thriller versus Emma Navarro and later said that she "played like my life depended on it."
In the Miami second round, the Briton upset the eighth-seeded American 7-6 (6) 2-6 7-6 (3). For the 2021 US Open champion, it was only her third win versus a top-10 player and the first one since last summer's grass season.
In the first set, Raducanu came back from a break down and also saved two set points in the tie-break. In the decider, the world No. 60 pulled off something similar after preventing Navarro from serving out for the match at 6-5 before winning another tie-break to complete a three-set win.
Now, the 22-year-old has been through to the Miami third round for the first time in her career, where she will meet McCartney Kessler.
Raducanu shares her honest thoughts after beating Navarro
I have really got no idea how I won that. It was a match full of ups and downs and shifts of momentum. It was so physical. It was an unbelievable match. I came here with someone and it didnt unfortunately work out. We put some great work in," the British tennis player said.
In the third set I think I used a lot of emotion even though it didnt look like it. I have gone through a lot and I told myself that I have gone through too much to leave it to her. I played every point like my life depended on it. It was pretty powerful. I would say this was my No.1 match this year.
After a rough start to 2025 and battling some inconsistency and having that scary stalking episode in Dubai, beating a big name like Navarro is exactly what Raducanu needed. Now, the 22-year-old will be hoping to continue her fine run and possibly go really deep in Miami.
