Emma Raducanu is thru to the fourth spherical of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after battling previous thirteenth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1 2-6 6-4 on Monday.
The British No 1 began strongly and broke twice on her solution to swiftly wrapping up the primary set inside 34 minutes, solely to then drop her serve twice – double-faulting 4 instances – because the Brazilian levelled issues up by claiming the second set 6-2.
Raducanu saved a break level to carry for 2-2 within the decider earlier than the world No 77 then produced some sensible tennis to interrupt within the seventh recreation.
She arrange two additional break factors, however Haddad Maia finally made her serve it out, which the 2021 US Open champion duly did.
Raducanu will now face both world No 1 and defending champion, Iga Swiatek, or Bianca Andreescu within the final 16.
Raducanu has performed Swiatek solely as soon as earlier than on tour, shedding 6-4 6-4 in Stuttgart final April, albeit that was on clay. The pair additionally met within the quarter-finals of the 2018 Wimbledon juniors event, with the Pole victorious on that event too.
She has additionally confronted thirty second seed Andrescu as soon as earlier than, additionally on clay at Rome final 12 months, the place she was pressured to retire halfway by way of the second set when trailing the Canadian.
Raducanu: Progress ‘fairly superb’ after lack of follow
Raducanu is competing in her first event since shedding to Coco Gauff within the second spherical of the Australian Open in January, together with her participation having been doubtful because of the return of a wrist drawback she was troubled with final season.
The 20-year-old withdrew from an occasion in Texas and an exhibition event previous to her involvement at Indian Wells. She beat Danka Kovinic 6-2 6-3 within the first spherical and Polish twentieth seed Magda Linette 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 within the second.
“I’m extraordinarily proud of the best way I fought and dug in within the third set,” Raducanu advised Amazon Prime after the win.
“I dropped my depth a bit in second and, in opposition to such an awesome opponent like Beatriz, that is sufficient and it is a 6-2 set earlier than you realize it. So, I used to be very proud of how I managed to regain my focus and depth and are available again within the third.
“For me its fairly superb, I have not actually ready for this event or practised, so to come back out and play at this stage and be aggressive is a good signal for me.”
