Emma Raducanu’s triumphant return to the court where her journey began took center stage at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, where the British tennis star delivered a commanding performance in the second round. The 22-year-old, who claimed the 2021 US Open title as a qualifier, defeated American Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4 in a match that showcased her rediscovered form and deep personal connection to Canada. Born in Toronto before moving to England at age two, Raducanu’s victory in her birth country carried profound significance, as she shared with the enthusiastic Montreal crowd. Her words, “I was actually born in Canada, so to come back and to me it means so much to do well here,” captured the emotional weight of the moment, marking her best showing at this WTA 1000 event.
Raducanu’s path to the third round began with a confident 6-2, 6-4 win over Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, a close friend, in the opening round. Facing Stearns, the world No. 37 and 32nd seed, Raducanu unleashed a barrage of six aces and converted four of ten break points, demonstrating her aggressive baseline play and improved serve. Despite a momentary lapse in focus during the second set, where Stearns broke to lead 4-2, Raducanu rallied with a stunning run of four consecutive games to seal the victory in 95 minutes. “I know Peyton is a really tough opponent, we’ve played two times in the past and always had really long matches,” Raducanu said post-match. “I kind of lost my focus at some moments in the second set and she took advantage, but very happy that I came through against a top opponent and happy to extend my stay in Montreal.”
The victory marked Raducanu’s 21st win of the 2025 season, her most consistent year since her breakout US Open triumph. Coming off a semi-final appearance at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she defeated three top players without dropping a set, Raducanu has surged back into the world’s top 40, sitting at No. 33. Her performance in Montreal, her second appearance at the tournament after a first-round exit in 2022, highlighted her growing maturity. “I’m really pleased with how I’m tracking, how I’m building,” she told reporters earlier in the season, emphasizing her shift away from result-driven goals to focusing on daily improvement. “My goal, it’s kind of gone away from result-oriented goals. I’m just enjoying each day and trying to bank as many good ones as possible in a row.”
Raducanu’s connection to Canada added a heartfelt layer to her success. Born on November 13, 2002, in Toronto to a Romanian father, Ion, and Chinese mother, Renee, she moved to Bromley, England, at age two, where she honed her tennis skills. Yet, the sight of Union Jacks waving in the Montreal stands, coupled with her Canadian roots, stirred deep emotions. “I just want to say thank you [to supporters], I saw the Union Jack in clutch moments and I was actually born in Canada, so to come back and to me it means so much to do well here and very happy to be into the next round,” she said, smiling broadly during her on-court interview. The crowd’s support, a mix of British and Canadian fans, made the moment feel like a homecoming, amplifying her joy at reaching the third round for the first time.
Her next challenge was a daunting one: a third-round clash against fifth seed Amanda Anisimova, the 2025 Wimbledon finalist. Raducanu held a 2-0 head-to-head advantage over the American, with straight-set victories at the Australian Open and Miami Open earlier in 2025. However, Anisimova’s recent form, including a 6-4, 7-6(5) win over Lulu Sun, promised a stern test. Despite the looming battle, Raducanu’s focus remained on her progress. “I’m very happy to be into the next round and to feel that kind of support from the Montreal crowd really made it special,” she said, her words reflecting both gratitude and determination. As she continues her North American hard-court swing, with the US Open on the horizon, Raducanu’s Montreal performance signals a resurgent star ready to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite, all while cherishing the roots that tie her to the city where it all began.
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