Emma Raducanu is into the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after a 6-1 2-6 6-4 6-1 2-6 6-4 win over 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia on Monday.
The British No. 1 started strongly and broke twice on her way to a quick sweep of the first set in 34 minutes, then dropped serve just twice, with four double faults, as the Brazilian leveled things up to claim the second set at 6. 2.
Radukanu saved a break point and held for 2-2 in the decider until the world number 77 then produced some brilliant tennis in the seventh game.
She set up two more break points but Haddad Maia eventually forced her to serve, which the 2021 US Open champion duly did.
Raducanu will now face world No. 1 and reigning champion Iga Sviatek or Bianca Andreescu in the round of 16.
Radukanu has only played Swiatek once on tour, losing 6-4 6-4 in Stuttgart last April, albeit on clay. The pair also met in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Wimbledon Juniors, which the Pole won.
He has also met 32nd seed Andreescu once before, also on clay in Rome last year, where he had to retire in the second set when trailing the Canadian.
Radukanu. The progress is “pretty amazing” after the lack of practice
Radukanu is competing in his first tournament since losing to Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open in January, with his participation in doubt due to the return of a wrist problem that bothered him last season.
The 20-year-old withdrew from an event and exhibition tournament in Texas ahead of her Indian Wells appearance. In the first round, she beat Danka Kovinicz 6-2 6-3, and in the second round she beat Polish 20th seed Magda Linete 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
“I’m extremely happy with the way I fought and broke through in the third set,” Radukanu said. Amazon Prime after the victory.
“I dropped my intensity a little bit in the seconds and against a great opponent like Beatrice, that’s enough and it’s a 6-2 set before you know it. So I was very pleased with how I was able to regain my focus and intensity. come back in the third.
“It’s pretty amazing for me, I haven’t really prepared for this tournament or trained, so to come out and play at this level and be competitive is a great sign for me.”