Emma Raducanu vs Jessica Pegula LIVE: Miami Open result and reaction from three-set thriller

Emma Raducanu enjoyed a strong run in reaching the Miami Open quarter-finals (Getty Images)

Emma Raducanu fell to a brave defeat to world number four Jessica Pegula as her best tournament run in three years came to an end in the Miami Open quarter-finals, with the American winning 6-4 6-7 6-2 in a high-level contest.

Pegula was assured from the start and converted the only break of serve to win the first set 6-4. But Raducanu raised her level and took a more aggressive approach at the start of the second, jumping into an early lead and having four set points at 5-2.

Raducanu could not take them and then called a medical timeout as she struggled with dizziness. The 22-year-old had her blood pressure taken but, although Pegula broke back to force the tiebreak, Raducanu recovered to win the decider 7-3.

The momentum looked to be back on Raducanu’s side but Pegula remained steady and found the opening break in the final set. From there, the US Open finalist moved through the gears and broke Raducanu for a second time to win the match.

Follow all the reaction with our live blog below:

Emma Raducanu knocked out of Miami Open by Jessica Pegula
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Pegula raises level to win third set 6-2 and reach semi-finals
SET! Raducanu recovers to win tiebreak 7-3 and force deciding set
TIMEOUT! Raducanu calls doctor after having four set points to level match
SET! Assured Pegula converts only break to win first set 6-4

03:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula roared as she converted her first match point. It really felt she was in a battle tonight as she claims the win in two hours and 25 minutes.

“It was tough. I played a good first set, a little less in the second but got it back. I was up 2-0 [in the tiebreak] but then it flipped. She started moving the ball really well, serving good. It happens.

“I wanted to come out in the third really strong, really quick, and kind of jump on her. I didn’t want to make that third set too close.”

(Getty Images)

03:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu can keep her head high despite defeat after enjoying her best run at a tournament since winning the US Open as a teeanger.

She’s won four matches in a row for the first time since that grand slam triumph in 2021 and more than matched Pegula in this quarter-final. Her level in the second set looked very good indeed and there were times Pegula was being hit off the court.

Pegula just had a bit too much experience and fitness to get over the line. But there is so much for Raducanu to take from her Miami run.

03:29 , Jamie Braidwood

A great match and Pegula will know she was in a real battle against Raducanu today. But the American ultimately showed her class and a third Miami Open semi-final in four years is testament to her consistency at this level.

03:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula is clicking through the gears as she nears closer to the finish line. She lands a lovely disguised drop shot over the net to leave Raducanu stranded and move to 0-30.

Stunning crosscourt winner from Pegula! What an angle! It brings up match point.

RADUCANU GOES WIDE! Pegula wins, what a battle.

03:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Another hugely impressive game from Pegula, which moves the World No 4 a step closer to a third Miami Open semi-final in four years.

She lands the forehand winner onto the line, which is followed by Raducanu taking a swing at the return but sending it out.

Pegula moves in and Raducanu nets on the backhand.

03:18 , Jamie Braidwood

A must-hold game for Raducanu is made trickier as Pegula finds an excellent forehand combination on the return to bring 30-30.

Raducanu keeps her cool. Pegula backs off and Raducanu finds the serve and winner to take the hold. She’s hanging with Pegula still.

03:14 , Jamie Braidwood

So good from Pegula. She rips the backhand winner down the line on the opening point and follows it with a forehand that had Raducanu stretching.

Back to the backhand: winner. Pegula finds the wide serve and forehand strike. As clean a game as you’ll find.

03:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu has played some lovely shots in this match and finds another forehand winner to get to 40-0 on serve.

Good hold. She has to believe she’ll get another chance at breaking if she keeps attacking on the returns.

03:07 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s an important hold for Pegula. Break point saved and serve held to get to 3-0. A chance there from Raducanu, but Pegula was steady from break point down.

03:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu goes big on two returns in a row and finds two winners to get to 0-30 on the Pegula serve.

The American responds to get back to 0-30 but Raducanu again steps in on the backhand return to fire the winner.

Break point: but Raducanu’s forehand slice drifts just wide! Deuce.

03:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Ooooh this could be a big miss from Raducanu. Pegula puts the pressure on and, at 15-30, Raducanu pushes a drive volley wide.

Two break points. Raducanu saves the first and then goes big on the backhand, pushing Pegula deep. The second is saved too.

Pegula won’t go away and Raducanu finds the net to bring up a third. And Pegula takes her chance, stepping in as Pegula clips the net-cord, putting away the forehand.

02:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula will serve first in this final set and gets going with a routine hold.

Raducanu has won a three-set match in this tournament, beating eighth seed Emma Navarro in a final-set tiebreak in the second round.

02:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu roars as she wins the tiebreak 7-3 to force the deciding set! That was dramatic but Raducanu raised her level again in the tiebreak, producing a series of attacking shots from the baseline.

Even more impressively, it came just a few minutes after Raducanu took a medical timeout and looked to be struggling with dizziness. Drama! We’re heading to a third.

02:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Stunning from Raducanu! She attacks Pegula from side to side and finishes it off with the composed smash. 5-3.

Raducanu then finds the wide serve, and steers the forehand off-balance for a winner into the opposite corner! 6-3 and more set points!

PEGULA GOES LONG AND RADUCANU HAS LEVELLED THE MATCH!

(Getty Images)

02:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula gets off to a flyer with the first two points but Raducanu takes aim on a brave forehand and finds the inside on the line.

Raducanu then finds the serve-forehand combo, and puts away the backhand volley drive! She leads 3-2 and has found some aggressive play!

Make that 4-2 at the chance of ends! Pegula nets on the backhand!

02:44 , Jamie Braidwood

More ice for Raducanu at the change of ends – around her neck and on both legs.

Pegula smoothly moves in to fire the forehand winner. Raducanu goes long on the return.

We’re heading to a second-set tiebreak as Raducanu drops a slice into the net. In between, Raducanu won an outrageous point on the defence.

Raducanu hit a really high level earlier in this set and just needs a sprinkling more to get over the line and force the decider.

02:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu digs in on the baseline and Pegula fires wide on the forehand.

These unforced errors will be gratefully accepted by Raducanu at this stage, as a Pegual return finds the net.

Raducanu moves in behind the serve to put away the backhand winner. That’s just what the doctor ordered. Speaking of, she’s back on court.

02:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant from Pegula, out-angling Raducanu on the backhand exchange and putting the winner away.

Three games in a row and she’s back level in this second set.

02:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu’s back on her feet. She’s still in a good position in this set: one game away from the third. Pegula to serve.

02:33 , Jamie Braidwood

There are three people crowded around Raducanu, with multiple ice bags involved.

Raducanu though is smiling and nodding and looks to be better as this medical timeout runs out.

02:30 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s awful timing for Raducanu, who has an ice towel wrapped around her neck and is now breathing very heavily. The doctor is also rolling a pack of ice on Raducanu’s left thigh. She’s eating banana and getting some fluids on board too.

In the previous match, Grigor Dimitrov was also struggling at the end of his three-set win. He too looked very dizzy.

02:27 , Jamie Braidwood

We’re back on serve. Pegula takes her second break point opportunity as she fires another winner and then Raducanu pushes long.

And now the doctor will come onto court. Raducanu is having her blood pressure taken. She is saying that she feels dizzy.

Raducanu was playing brilliantly to move into a 5-2 lead in this set, just as she called the doctor. She then had four set points in the next game, but Pegula held on to hold.

02:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Statement from Pegula to start this game as she thumps the return winner on the opening point.

Raducanu matches it with two huge forehands into the corner, then finishing it at the net.

Pegula then makes it awkward for Raducanu, stepping in behind the forehand.

Raducanu switches it up to go for the drop shot from the baseline… and it lands! 30-30.

But Pegula scorches the return and will now have break point. Pegula goes long!

Deuce.

02:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula can’t shake Raducanu off! The chip return is followed by the backhand winner down the line.

Set point number four…. Raducanu sees the backhand down the line again but pushes it a touch long!

Raducanu nets on the forehand and Pegula gets her hold at last.

Raducanu has also called for the doctor… I’m not sure why and can’t see anything wrong. The breathing is maybe a little heavier than it was.

02:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant from Raducanu! Pegula was 40-15 up on serve but Raducanu took aim at the backhand return to get back to deuce.

Another big forehand strike and she gets a look at set point. Pegula saves behind serve but then goes wide.

A second set point. Deep return from Raducanu, but it’s followed by a loose forehand.

A third huge return from Raducanu, this time on the wide serve, brings a third set point.

Raducanu goes for the winner off the first-serve return… but it’s long!

02:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu moves to 30-0 with a wonderful forehand winner into the corner. Pegula then goes long on the return and Raducanu is getting through this key game pretty comfortably.

Brilliant pass down the line from Raducanu! Big forehand strike, Pegula can’t return, and she moves a game away from forcing a third!

02:07 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula settles, getting Raducanu back on the run and finding her serve out wide, as she moves in and puts away the forehand winner to hold to love.

02:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu has found her flow and the momentum of this match has turned slightly. Raducanu finds the ace out wide to move to 40-0. Pegula thumps a second-serve return for a winner but then goes wide on the forehand.

4-1 to Raducanu and she is now in a great position to level this match.

02:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu steps it up on the return to win the opening point, but Pegula finds back-to-back first serves down the middle.

Pegula makes an error coming into the net… and Raducanu is pumping her fist as the American goes long and brings up a first break point chance of the match for Raducanu.

Pegula can’t find the first serve…. Raducanu attacks the second serve and gets the break! Oh that was a great break from Raducanu. She thumped the backhand crosscourt.

01:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu responds well to Pegula’s approach to finds the forehand winner, following that with a backhand winner down the line.

Pegula puts a second-serve return into the net as Raducanu finds a kick. Pegula nets again and Raducanu takes the game.

Her level is pretty decent right now.

(Getty Images)

01:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Half a chance for Raducanu on the Pegula serve as she gets the opening point.

But from there Pegula shows her class and wins an excellent exchange, moving brilliantly to reach the Raducanu strike and fire the pass.

Pegula then plants a forehand onto the line to take the game.

01:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu is forced into another deep pick-up as Pegula strikes for the lines, but the American then puts the forehand out.

And Raducanu gets away with a hugely important hold at the start of this set. Pegula drifts the return long.

01:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula puts the pressure on early in the second set with a drop shot that catches Raducanu out on the baseline.

Raducanu then nets on the backhand, bringing up an early break point. Pegula had the advantage after directing a backhand down the line, but Raducanu reached it and Pegula puts the drop shot into the net. Deuce.

01:43 , Jamie Braidwood

After just one break of serve in the first set, Raducanu will serve to start the second. There were some encouraging signs in the very last game of the opener as Raducanu looked to go bigger on the returns.

01:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Ace from Pegula. Another set point to come: but again Pegula nets, with Raducanu holding on in the rally.

Pegula brings up a third set point and she takes it this time. The American moves into the net and puts away the smash!

Set!

(Getty Images)

01:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Better from Raducanu as she cracks a forehand return deep onto the baseline. Pegula then nets, as Raducanu gets back to 30-30. Could she nick the break?

It’s set point Pegula as she comes into the net. But she can’t take it: Raducanu holds on in the baseline exchange and gets back to deuce.

01:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu asks the question and forces Pegula to close it out: can she trouble the fourth seed on a return or two?

Mark Petchey is on his feet encouraging the 22-year-old between games.

01:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu is still unable to make any inroads into the Pegula serve and the American holds to 15 to move a game away from the opening set.

01:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Lot’s of unhappy tennis fans who have stayed up only for Now TV to go down…

Raducanu does get the hold of serve, though, to stay in touch with Pegula.

01:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula consolidates the break. The fourth seed is serving 85% first serves and Raducanu has won just one return point. It’s usually a strength of Raducanu’s but she’s been unable to use it so far.

01:18 , Jamie Braidwood

The first break of serve goes the way of the American in the fifth game.

Not quite sure how it happened as my stream from Miami has cut out…

01:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula is looking very composed and assured in these early stages. She thumps an ace down the middle on her way to holding serve.

01:10 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s been a good start on serve from Raducanu. She gets a little fortunate as Pegula clipped the baseline and Raducanu returns the short ball for a winner.

Pegula goes wide on the backhand exchange and Raducanu pumps her fist as she takes the game.

01:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula turns defence into attack as she absorbs the Raducanu backhand, works into the point, and lands the forehand winner crosscourt.

She holds to love with an ace out wide. Good start from the American.

01:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Pegula looks to dictate from the baseline in the first couple of points but Raducanu moves well on the defence and forces the miss.

A strong serve and forehand winner down the middle of the court seals the opening game for the Briton.

01:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu won the toss and chose to serve first! We are underway in Miami.

*denotes next server

00:54 , Jamie Braidwood

And here come the players! The temperature has cooled ahead of the night session and this will be Raducanu’s first match on the Hard Rock Stadium court since the opening round last week. Pegula, the American, will likely have the backing of the home crowd in Miami.

00:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu, a grand slam champion at the US Open three years ago, secured her first win against a top-10 opponent on a hard court when she defeated Emma Navarro in the second round.

Could she claim a second one in a week against Jessica Pegula? The fourth seed is an incredibly consistent player on this surface, having reached this stage of the Miami Open in the last three years.

00:46 , Jamie Braidwood

The night session in Miami is set to get underway almost two hours after the intended order of play, but Emma Raducanu and Jessica Pegula will be walking out onto court in the next few minutes.

Both women’s semi-finals will be played tomorrow (Thursday). World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on sixth seed Jasmine Paolini in the first semi-final. In the second, wildcard Alexandra Eala is waiting to face either Pegula or Raducanu.

00:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Raducanu has been enjoying shorter, more relaxed training sessions and looser warm-ups under the guidance of Jane O’Donoghue and Mark Petchey in Miami.

The 22-year-old has been seen playing plenty of games of Spikeball, which is becoming a bit of a pre-match ritual, as well as throwing around an American football in the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.

(Getty Images for LTA)

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Emma Raducanu vs Jessica Pegula LIVE: Miami Open result and reaction from three-set thriller

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