Emma Raducanu has finally found her rhythm in 2025 after a series of setbacks across multiple tournaments. The 2021 US Open champion endured a rough start to the year, struggling in Australia, faltering throughout the Middle East swing, and suffering an early exit at Indian Wells. However, she has turned things around at the Miami Open, reaching her first-ever WTA 1000 quarterfinal. Despite her off-court struggles—most notably not having a main coach—Raducanu has displayed resilience and determination. Now, she faces a significant challenge against World No.4 Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.
Emma Raducanu’s Journey in Miami
Raducanu’s 2025 season had been a disappointment before the Miami Open. She suffered consecutive early-round defeats at the Singapore Open, Abu Dhabi Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships. Her Indian Wells campaign ended in a first-round loss against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, with a one-sided scoreline of 6-3, 6-2.
However, Miami has been a different story. Raducanu kicked off her campaign with a straight-set victory over Japan’s Sayaka Ishii in the opening round. She then pulled off an impressive win over Top 10 WTA pro Emma Navarro in the Round of 64. A stroke of luck saw her advance past McCartney Kessler in the Round of 32 due to a walkover. In the fourth round, she dominated Amanda Anisimova, securing a 6-3, 6-2 victory to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.
Jessica Pegula’s Strong 2025 Form
Raducanu’s next opponent, Jessica Pegula, has had a more consistent season. She started strong with a deep run in the Adelaide International, though she fell short in the final against Madison Keys (6-3, 4-6, 6-1). Her Australian Open campaign ended in the third round, but she quickly bounced back, reaching the quarterfinals in Doha. Dubai saw her exit in the Round of 16, but she rebounded by winning the ATX Open earlier this month, claiming her seventh WTA singles title by defeating Kessler (7-5, 6-2) in the final. At Indian Wells, she reached the fourth round before being eliminated.
Pegula’s most recent victory came in Miami’s fourth round, where she comfortably defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-3.
Head-to-Head: Raducanu vs Pegula
Raducanu and Pegula have faced each other twice before, with the head-to-head record tied at 1-1. Their last meeting came in 2024 at the Eastbourne International, where Raducanu secured a hard-fought three-set victory (4-6, 7-6, 7-5). However, Pegula won their first encounter in the 2022 Cincinnati Masters, taking the match in straight sets (7-5, 6-4).
Prediction: Pegula Has the Edge
Pegula enters the match with a clear advantage. She has won 15 of her 20 matches this season, while Raducanu has struggled with a 3-6 record. The American also has experience and consistency on her side—this will be her fourth straight quarterfinal appearance in Miami. She previously reached the semifinals in 2022 and 2023, though last year she exited in the quarterfinals against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
In terms of playing style, Pegula’s all-around game makes her a tough opponent. She can transition smoothly between baseline and net play, and her powerful, precise groundstrokes—particularly her backhand—give her an edge. Raducanu, on the other hand, possesses a solid backhand and an effective serve. She thrives on aggressive play and can take the ball early to disrupt opponents.
Despite Raducanu’s resurgence, Pegula’s form and tournament experience make her the favorite. The prediction is that Pegula will secure a straight-set victory.
Can Raducanu Pull Off an Upset?
While Pegula is expected to win, Raducanu’s confidence and newfound momentum could make the match more competitive than anticipated. The question remains: Can the British star defy expectations and stun Pegula, or will the American’s consistency and skill prove too much to handle?