Raducanu into Miami last 16 after Keys stunned by teenager

After McCartney Kessler retired injured at the start of the second set, British tennis star Emma Raducanu has advanced to the last 16 of the Miami Open.

With only 30 minutes remaining, Raducanu could have completely dominated the first set, 6-1.

The 22-year-old race jumped out to a 3-0 lead after a late break in the second set before American Kessler, 25, was forced to retire due to a back issue.

When your opponent is struggling, Raducanu said, “I could tell something was up,” and it’s difficult to stay focused. Because she has been playing so well, I wish her a quick recovery.

I enjoy my focus because tennis is such a big game. I haven’t visited this tournament stage in a while.

“I pressured myself to the serve from the first game and came back really well.”

Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion and world number five, was eliminated by Filipina wildcard Alexandra Eala, 6-4, 6-2.

The 19-year-old, who won the US Open girls singles title in 2022, is the first woman from the Philippines to defeat a top-10 opponent since 1975 when the professional Open era first started.

Jelena Ostapenko, the world number 140, defeated the second-round winner of the 2017 French Open, to become the second-round knockout of two Grand Slam winners in Florida.

It was difficult growing up. Eala, who has been a student at the Rafael Nadal academy in Mallorca since she was 13 years old, said, “You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from who opened the door.”

“Of course you had many people around the world to admire, but I hope this takes Filipino tennis one step further.”

After beating Clara Tauson from Denmark with a 6-3 7-6 (7-3), Eala will face Paula Badosa in the last 16.

Iga Swiatek, the former champion and second seed, is also through following her 7-6, 6-1 victory over Belgian 27th seed Elise Mertens.

The Polish world number two is the first player to reach the last 16 of 25 WTA 1000 events in a row, beginning in Cincinnati in 2021.