Raducanu loses in Miami after medical treatment

World No. 4 Jessica Pegula defeated Emma Raducanu to clinch her place in the Miami Open’s encouraging run.

The 22-year-old Briton leveled the game before American Pegula clinically regained control to win 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 despite needing medical care.

Raducanu had her best tennis playing in the second set since winning the US Open at the age of 20 as a teenager.

Before calling the doctor, the world number 60 had a 5-2 lead and four set points in the eighth game.

It was remarkable how Raducanu fought and showed fortitude to win the second set.

Pegula, one of the most consistent competitors on the WTA Tour, showed why she could not see the plan through.

Pegula, the US Open’s runner-up, said, “It was tough.” I merely wanted to jump on her in the third set and emerge extremely strong and quickly.

On Friday, the 31-year-old will face Philippine teenager Alexandra Eala in the semi-finals.

Since her dazzling victory in New York more than three years ago, questions have been posed frequently about Raducanu’s physical and mental resilience.

A number of injuries hampered Raducanu’s progress and the pressure of scrutiny made it difficult for her to make the full-time tour debut.

Issues have persisted.

Raducanu has been targeted by a stalker, dealt with a back injury, and had her trusted coach Nick Cavaday take a leave during the testing start of the season.

She reaffirmed her resolve to compete with the best in the world with her guts and ability in Miami.

On her way to the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time, despite losing to Pegula, she still managed eye-catching victories over top-20 rivals Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova.

Raducanu will also find it very satisfying to know that next week she will be back in the top 50 of the WTA.

For the first time since her US Open triumph, she collected four victories in a row, which was another indication of her progress.

With a more secluded play, Raducanu found success in Miami, which gave her more room to play.

Raducanu and Slovak coach Vladimir Platenik had a trial partnership before the competition, so Raducanu requested advice from some well-known faces.

Mark Petchey, a well-known player in British tennis who assisted Raducanu in her teenage years, became her long-time confidante Jane O’Donoghue and Yutaka Nakamura, a fitness instructor.

With her clean ball-striking and sharp movement, Raducanu claimed the set-up made it possible for her to be “authentic” and “express” herself on court.

Raducanu lost the opening set thanks to Pegula’s strong groundstrokes, which produced few errors.

However, Raducanu found her play to be inspiring because of how good it was.

As the second set progressed, she quickly earned her reward with an early break as the momentum changed, adopting a more aggressive strategy.

When Raducanu complained of dizziness and was unable to balance with the double break, it appeared as though she was waiting when she had finished her treatment.