Emma Raducanu is preparing for a challenging matchup at the Miami Open, where she will face fellow Emma—American player Emma Navarro—in the Round of 64 on March 21. The British star, who won the 2021 US Open, was once seen as a rising force in tennis but has struggled to maintain consistent success due to injuries and form issues. While she is currently working her way back into shape, Raducanu will need to deliver a strong performance to overcome her opponent.
Recent Form and Road to Miami
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Raducanu’s latest tournament appearance ended in disappointment as she was eliminated in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters by Moyuka Uchijima in straight sets. However, she managed to secure a win in Miami’s first round against Japanese qualifier Sayaka Ishii, setting up her second-round clash with Navarro.
Navarro, on the other hand, is the No. 8 seed in Miami and received a bye in the first round. She enters the tournament following a third-round exit at Indian Wells, where she lost a competitive match to Donna Vekic. Despite this setback, Navarro has had a solid 2025 season so far, with a strong win-loss record and a title win earlier this month.
Head-to-Head and Playing Styles
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This will be the first-ever meeting between Raducanu and Navarro on the WTA tour, as they have never faced each other in competition before.
Navarro has had a respectable start to 2025, with an 11-6 record, including a title win at the Merida Open. While she experienced early exits in tournaments like Qatar and Dubai, she reached the quarterfinals in Adelaide and the Australian Open. She is known for her creative and versatile gameplay, excelling at finishing points at the net and maintaining a strong defensive presence. Last year, she reached the fourth round of the Miami Open before losing to Jessica Pegula.
Raducanu, in contrast, has had a challenging season, with a 4-6 win-loss record in 2025. She reached the third round of the Australian Open but was convincingly defeated by Iga Swiatek. Her performances in subsequent tournaments, including Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, have been underwhelming, with early-round exits. As a baseline player, Raducanu relies on redirecting the pace of her opponents’ shots to control rallies, but she has struggled to sustain deep runs in big events since her US Open triumph.
Statistically, Raducanu has had difficulty in WTA 1000 tournaments, holding an 11-15 record (42.3% win rate)—the lowest among recent Grand Slam champions. She has yet to win two consecutive matches in a tournament this year and has a history of early exits in Miami.
Match Prediction: Navarro Favored to Win
Given their recent form, Navarro is considered the favorite in this matchup. Her consistent performances, ability to dictate play, and experience on this stage make her a strong contender to advance past Raducanu. While the Brit will be eager to regain her footing and improve her ranking, she faces an uphill battle against an opponent in better form. A competitive match is expected, but Navarro is projected to come out on top in three sets.