Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion, is back in the spotlight as she gears up to face Japan’s Sayaka Ishii in the opening round of the Miami Open 2025. This matchup follows a string of challenging draws for Raducanu in major tournaments this season, including the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Laura Robson, the former British number one, was unequivocal in her assessment of Raducanu’s draw, describing it as “tough”.
The immediate challenge for Raducanu is overcoming Ishii, setting the stage for a potential second-round duel with tenth-seeded Emma Navarro. Raducanu’s performance this season has been mixed. Her best run was at the Australian Open where she advanced to the third round. However, her season has also been marred by early exits and a recent 3-6,2-6 defeat to Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. Raducanu candidly admitted that it was a “very difficult match”. The question now is whether she can bounce back against another Japanese player.
Meanwhile, Sayaka Ishii, although a less frequent fixture at this level of play, has nonetheless demonstrated her prowess on the ITF circuit. Ishii comes into this match off the back of a 2-6,6(5)-7 defeat to Germany’s Ella Seidel in the R32 of the W75 Trnava. This is the first career meeting between Raducanu and Ishii, presenting an intriguing head-to-head prospect.
Despite a rocky season, there’s a strong case to be made for Raducanu’s victory in this match. Her track record as a former Grand Slam champion, coupled with a solid fan base in Miami, lends her an edge. Moreover, her experience in high-stakes matches should hold her in good stead. However, the outcome is anything but guaranteed.
Currently, Raducanu holds a world ranking of 60, with a win-loss record of 3-6 this season. A strong performance in Miami could catapult her back into the Top 50. On the flip side, Ishii, ranked 188, has a win-loss record of 10-6 in 2025 across all levels as per the WTA’s official data.
In terms of playing style, Ishii, the 19-year-old Japanese player, is commended for her agility and court coverage, though she lacks the power to consistently deliver potent winners. This could be an area where Raducanu gains the upper hand. Renowned for her strong backhand, powerful serve, and aggressive court coverage, Raducanu also possesses an impressive tactical acumen, allowing her to maintain an offensive stance even after missing a first serve.
Given these factors, it seems a challenging task for Ishii to outperform Raducanu on the Miami Open surface. However, as always, the beauty of sport lies in its unpredictability, and only time will tell the outcome of this intriguing clash.
