Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft has praised Emma Raducanu’s exceptional performances at the 2025 Miami Open, drawing an intriguing comparison to tennis legend Andy Murray. The 22-year-old Raducanu made a stunning recovery from a rocky start to the season, pushing through to the quarter-finals of the prestigious WTA 1000 event in Miami.
Raducanu’s journey to the last eight was nothing short of impressive. She triumphed over Sayaka Ishii, Emma Navarro, McCartney Kessler, and Amanda Anisimova, dropping just a single set along the way. However, her run ended when she was defeated in three sets by world No. 4 Jessica Pegula. Despite the loss, the quarter-final appearance marked a significant milestone for Raducanu, as it was her first time winning four consecutive WTA Tour matches since her unforgettable US Open triumph in 2021, where she navigated through three qualifying rounds and won seven straight matches without dropping a set.
The 215 ranking points earned in Miami saw Raducanu rise from 60th to 48th in the Live WTA Rankings, reflecting her progress. Arriving in Miami with a modest 3-6 season record, and having suffered six losses in her previous seven matches, the result was a significant boost for Raducanu. She now heads into the clay-court season with renewed confidence and a clear path forward as she aims to continue climbing the rankings.
In a column for The Times, Croft boldly suggested that Raducanu’s performance in Miami exceeded even her historic US Open run. “Watching Raducanu breeze through to the last eight in Florida, I could not believe the difference in a player who looked as if she had little to no confidence just a few weeks ago,” Croft wrote, clearly impressed by the transformation she witnessed.
Croft also noted that Raducanu’s opening win against Sayaka Ishii, the world No. 188, showcased a level of play that exceeded her US Open title run. “Her first-round win against Sayaka Ishii, who frankly struggled to hit the ball in the court, ignited a level of play that I believe was higher than her run to Grand Slam glory at Flushing Meadows,” Croft explained.
What stood out for Croft was the consistency and precision Raducanu displayed on the court. “When Raducanu plays like that it is phenomenal to watch as she barely misses a ball. There were so few unforced errors across her matches in Miami that it reminded me of Andy Murray when he went into that mode in which the opponent had to work so hard to win a point,” Croft continued. The mental pressure Raducanu imposed on her opponents was another key factor. “Mentally it imposes so much pressure on the opponents, and you could see this getting into their heads to the point where they could not compete,” Croft observed.
For Raducanu, her time in Miami has not only been a significant personal achievement but has also sent a clear message about her potential in the upcoming clay-court season. With her confidence restored and her game in fine form, the young Brit looks poised for more success in the months ahead.