In a stunning display of power and precision, Amanda Anisimova delivered a commanding performance to eliminate Emma Raducanu in the third round of the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal. The American fifth seed, fresh off a remarkable Wimbledon final appearance, outclassed the former US Open champion with a 6-2, 6-1 victory in just over an hour, advancing to the Round of 16 in dominant fashion. Despite Raducanu’s recent resurgence on the hard courts of North America, she struggled to find her rhythm against Anisimova’s relentless aggression, marking a stark contrast to their previous encounters earlier in the year.
Raducanu, the British No. 1, entered the tournament with high hopes following a strong start to her hard-court campaign. The 22-year-old had reached the semifinals at the Citi Open in Washington the previous week, securing notable victories over Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari. Her momentum carried into Montreal, where she dispatched Elena-Gabriela Ruse and 32nd seed Peyton Stearns in straight sets, showcasing disciplined shot-making and improved serve consistency. Reflecting on her win over Stearns, Raducanu noted, “I know Peyton is a really tough opponent, we’ve played two times in the past and always had really long matches. I’m really happy with how I came through in that match.” Her confident play and growing belief suggested she was ready to challenge top-tier opponents, but Anisimova proved an insurmountable hurdle.
The matchup carried extra intrigue due to the players’ history. Raducanu held a 2-0 head-to-head advantage over Anisimova, with straight-set wins at the Australian Open (6-3, 7-5) and Miami Open (6-1, 6-3) earlier in 2025. Those victories, however, were not without controversy. During their Australian Open clash, Raducanu’s medical timeout for a lower back issue while trailing 3-0 sparked accusations of gamesmanship from Anisimova’s supporters, with some labeling her actions as “cheating.” Despite the criticism, Raducanu rallied to win, and her dominant Miami performance further underscored her edge over the American. Yet, in Montreal, Anisimova flipped the script, showing she had learned from those losses and was determined to make a statement.
From the outset, Anisimova’s aggressive baseline game overwhelmed Raducanu. The American broke Raducanu’s serve in the second game of the first set, overcoming a 40-15 deficit with a barrage of powerful groundstrokes. Although Raducanu managed an immediate break back, it was her only break point opportunity of the match. Anisimova’s serve was a standout, with the world No. 7 winning 81% of first-serve points and 63% on her second serve, compared to Raducanu’s meager 29% on second-serve points. The Brit’s serve, a known vulnerability, faltered under pressure, as she held just twice across seven service games and committed 22 unforced errors against only five winners. Anisimova, by contrast, struck 29 winners, maintaining control even when her high-risk style produced 25 unforced errors.
The second set saw Anisimova’s dominance intensify. She raced to a 4-0 lead, capitalizing on Raducanu’s inability to find answers. The Brit avoided a bagel by holding serve to get on the board, but Anisimova closed out the match with ease, dropping just two points on her serve in the set. The victory marked Anisimova’s 50th career win at WTA 1000 events and extended her impressive run of 14 wins in her last 17 matches since the grass season began, the most on the WTA Tour in that span. Her confidence was evident, as she later reflected on the hard court’s suitability to her game, saying, “I told myself, I’ll definitely come out stronger after this,” referring to her motivation following a humbling Wimbledon final loss to Iga Świątek.
For Raducanu, the defeat was a setback but not a derailment of her 2025 progress. With a 23-15 win/loss record this season, including quarterfinal runs in Miami and at the HSBC Championships, she has shown steady improvement after injury-plagued years. Her ability to compete at all four Grand Slams in 2025, a feat she hadn’t achieved since 2022, signals a return to form as she prepares for the US Open. However, the match exposed ongoing challenges with her serve and consistency under pressure, areas she’ll need to address before the Cincinnati Open, where she’ll next compete starting August 7.
Anisimova, meanwhile, advances to face Elina Svitolina in the fourth round, a matchup that promises another test of her aggressive style. The American’s resurgence, highlighted by her Qatar Open title and Wimbledon final run, positions her as a formidable contender. For Raducanu, the loss stings, particularly given their off-court friendship, which she previously described as adding “another dimension to the match, and not necessarily a pleasant one.” Yet, her Montreal performance, despite the abrupt end, underscores her potential to climb back toward the elite. As the hard-court season continues, both players remain ones to watch, their rivalry now even more compelling after Anisimova’s emphatic victory.
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