Emma Raducanu produced an inspired performance to upset American eighth seed Emma Navarro 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 7-6 (7-3) in an epic second-round contest at the Miami Open on Friday.
Raducanu, playing at the Miami Open having ended her trial with coach Vladimir Platenik after only two weeks, breezed through her opening match against Sayaka Ishii on Wednesday, having exited Indian Wells in the first round earlier this month.
Ahead of her match with American eighth seed Navarro, Raducanu was seen hitting with Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey.
She came out hitting the ball clean against Navarro, who reached the semi-finals of the US Open, and after repelling two set points in the tie-breaker, Raducanu snatched the opener to continue her resurgence in form.
The former British No 1 was unable to continue her attacking gameplan with Navarro quickly levelling up.
Raducanu then took a medical timeout for blisters before the start of the deciding set and after going close to falling 4-1 down, the 22-year-old found a second wind to win four games in a row, although she was unable to serve out the match.
However, Raducanu struck again to send a tension-filled contest into a deciding set tie-break where she dominated to record her first top 10 win on a hardcourt.
Delgado: Petchey is someone familiar to Raducanu
Image: Laura Robson spoke to Jamie Delgado about Raducanu working with Mark Petchey
Jamie Delgado, who is currently coaching former world No 3 Grigor Dimitrov, spoke about Raducanu’s coaching situation.
She is being helped by mentor Jane O’Donoghue and Lawn Tennis Association coach Colin Beecher after ending her trial period with experienced Slovakian Platenik.
Image: Mark Petchey coached Andy Murray during the early stages of his career
Delgado told Sky Sports Tennis: “It’s never the best time to change a coach or change a set up during a tournament. You want that in the off-season so you can get to know the person a bit but it clearly didn’t work out with Vladimir Platenik the last couple of weeks and Mark at least is someone familiar to her. He’s helped her in the past a few times when she was younger and a bit older, so that could be a nice initial feeling for her to get some form back.
“She’s got people around her that she likes, that she trusts, and she’s played very good tennis with these people around her before so that can spread confidence. I’m sure having got through that first match she’s had a big lift the last couple of days.”
Speaking about what Raducanu will be looking for in a coach, Delgado added: “She’ll be after somebody with that consistency and familiarity in the long-term. I don’t know what Mark’s commitments are with TV, he’s obviously busy as well. It’s something that’s worked for her in the past and in the short-term it could help her this week.”
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