Emma Raducanu's Miami display left Marion Bartoli thinking that the 22-year-old is "close" to returning to her 2021 US Open level.
Throughout her entire Miami campaign, the British tennis player looked and played as one of the best in the game. After destroying rising star Sayaka Ishii 6-2 6-1, she also beat 2024 US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro, 2025 Austin champion McCartney Kessler and also ousted WTA 1000 Doha winner Amanda Anisimova.
Against fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula, Raducanu delivered another strong performance but the 2024 US Open runner-up was ultimately a bit stronger and ended up winning in three sets.
Raducanu earned her maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal berth in Miami and she is also now ranked at No. 48, which means she is a top-50 player for the first time since 2022.
Bartoli: Raducanu's very close to her 2021 US Open level
Even against Pegula, it was such a close match. Yes, she ended up losing it at the end, but its not like she got thrashed out of the court. When youre capable of reproducing those kind of qualities of tennis as well, that shows you that physically youre ready, mentally youre ready as well," the 2013 Wimbledon champion said on Sky Sports Tennis.
Also, Bartoli highlighted that it was impressive how Raducanu bounced back from the scary Dubai stalker incident.
And as Tim was mentioning, the way shes been moving on the court, you really feel physically she has been coming back close to probably her best level. That being at the US Open, the year she won, and shes very close to it," the French tennis legend added.
Bartoli also noted that Raducanu has the momentum going into the clay season and that is exactly what she needed at this point and time.
The 48th-ranked Briton will play her first clay tournament in Rouen, between April 14-21.
