In a highly anticipated third-round clash at the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal, British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is set to face American star Amanda Anisimova for the third time this year. The match, scheduled for just after 1 a.m. on Saturday morning UK time, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two young players who have already carved out remarkable careers. However, their history is tinged with controversy, as Raducanu faced accusations of cheating from Anisimova’s fans during their earlier meeting at the Australian Open in January 2025.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been in scintillating form in Montreal, not dropping a single set in her opening matches. She powered past Elena Ruse in straight sets, overcoming an early break, before defeating 32nd seed Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4 to secure her 10th WTA 1000 victory of the season. Now ranked No. 33 and back as Britain’s No. 1, Raducanu is riding the momentum from her recent semifinal run at the Citi Open in Washington, where she notched impressive wins over Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari. Her resurgence on hard courts, with a 12-8 record this season, showcases her growing consistency after a challenging period marked by injuries.
Anisimova, seeded fifth and ranked No. 7, is equally formidable. Fresh off a Wimbledon final appearance, where she fell to Iga Swiatek in a one-sided defeat, the 23-year-old American has enjoyed a stellar 2025. She claimed her first WTA 1000 title in Doha and reached the final at Queen’s Club, boasting a 32-14 overall record. In Montreal, Anisimova kicked off her campaign with a hard-fought victory over Lulu Sun, relying on her aggressive baseline game and powerful serve. With a 12-6 hard-court record this year, she’s eager to secure her first win over Raducanu, having lost both previous encounters in 2025.
Their rivalry began at the Australian Open, where Raducanu clinched a 6-3, 7-5 victory in the second round. Trailing 3-0 in the first set, Raducanu called for a medical timeout to address a lower back issue, a move that sparked outrage among Anisimova’s supporters. Fans took to social media, accusing Raducanu of gamesmanship and labeling her a “cheater.” One critic fumed, “She’s a cheater!! Running around winning three games after a MTO on a hip? Please!!! Faker.” Another remarked, “This is flat out cheating by the way.” Raducanu, who had withdrawn from the ASB Classic earlier due to a back spasm, went on to win six consecutive games after the break, fueling the controversy.
The pair met again in March at the Miami Open, where Raducanu dominated with a 6-1, 6-3 rout. Anisimova, struggling with wrist and hand issues, required a medical timeout, but Raducanu’s relentless play left her opponent rattled. Sky Sports commentator Annabel Croft noted during the match, “Anisimova is absolutely rattled. She’s all over the place. That sigh says it all. Fed up out here. Not enjoying this. She’s being humiliated.” Despite the lopsided scoreline, Raducanu showed sportsmanship, expressing concern for Anisimova’s injury post-match: “Playing Amanda is never easy, she’s had some amazing wins… I hope her wrist, or something, is okay.”
Adding intrigue to their upcoming clash, Anisimova’s fiery response to a similar controversy earlier this year looms large. During her Miami Open win over Mirra Andreeva, Anisimova took a medical timeout for a blistered finger while trailing 3-1 in the final set. Andreeva’s objections were dismissed, and Anisimova later posted an Instagram photo of her raised middle finger, a pointed retort accompanied by a sarcastic caption: “‘We all know why’ at 3-1 up was a good one coming from the 1-2 first set medical.” This gesture served as a warning to opponents, including Raducanu, about challenging her resilience.
Despite their off-court friendship, the Montreal showdown is set to be intense. Raducanu holds a psychological edge with her 2-0 head-to-head lead, but Anisimova’s improved form and powerful game make her a slight favorite. “I know she’s a big ball-striker,” Raducanu said of Anisimova before their Australian Open match. “She hits the ball really hard. She likes to dictate, so it’s going to be a big challenge for me.” Anisimova, meanwhile, will aim to leverage her 62% first-serve point win rate and 60% break-point save rate to overpower Raducanu’s varied but less reliable game.
As the tennis world watches, this match will test both players’ mental and physical fortitude. For Raducanu, it’s a chance to cement her comeback; for Anisimova, it’s an opportunity to overturn a frustrating rivalry. With their past controversies adding spice, fans can expect a high-octane battle on the hard courts of IGA Stadium.
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