"From the first point really": Emma Raducanu highlights what was 'really difficult' to do in Miami Open third-round contest against McCartney Kessler

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has opened up about what she decided to do in the third-round contest at the Miami Open. The 22-year-old is currently taking part in the WTA 1000 event in Miami, where she cemented her spot in the fourth round after being awarded a walkover after her opponent, McCartney Kessler, was forced to retire because of a fitness problem.

Raducanu spoke to Sky Sports after the match and stated that it was difficult to focus on the game, knowing that her opponent was struggling on the other side of the court. The former world number 10 also stated that she decided to ‘impose’ herself on the match,, which helped her.

“During the match, I can tell something was up on her side of the court and its really difficult to stay focus when you know your opponent is struggling with something,” she said. “Its really difficult to keep focus. I was just trying my best to stay on it and I wish her speedy recovery. She is someone who is playing so well and going into this match, I knew she is going to be extremely dangerous. I was just really focused from the first ball. I was happy with my focus. That’s such a big part of tennis and especially in a match like this. The third round. I have not necessarily been at this stage of the tournament in a while so very happy with that. I think I returned pretty well, from the first point really, putting pressure on herself. I think the impact of that could have had when someone is not feeling great. I was just imposing myself on the game from the first ball, trying to get used to the conditions out there.

She continued by saying: “I think after the match with Emma, I was watching the highlights, it was pretty outrageous. Some of the court coverage Emma made me, the other night I was looking. I was like, ‘Oh my God’. She is getting so many balls back and then I was myself. I think I took a lot of confidence from that, from playing three hours in the heat. Bounced back today and feeling good about my body. I am really proud of myself, my team, the work that we have been putting in.”

Raducanu will next face America’s Amanda Anisimova, who cemented her spot in the last 16 after defeating Russia’s young tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva in the round of 32 with a score of 7-6, 2-6, 6-3.