Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British No. 1, delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, securing a 6-2, 6-4 victory over American 32nd seed Peyton Stearns in the second round on July 30, 2025. The win, which propelled her into the third round of the WTA 1000 event at IGA Stadium, was more than just another step toward the US Open; it was a homecoming of sorts for the Toronto-born star. “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,” Raducanu shared in her on-court interview, her voice brimming with emotion as she acknowledged the crowd’s support and her deep connection to the country.
Raducanu’s journey in Montreal began with a 6-2, 6-4 first-round win over Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, a close friend, showcasing her ability to set personal ties aside in pursuit of victory. “Elena is a good friend of mine and it’s difficult to play someone you know but I’m happy with how I put that to one side,” she said after the match. Her second-round clash with Stearns, ranked world No. 37, was a test of resilience. Raducanu dominated the first set, firing six aces and converting two of four break points while dropping only four points on serve. The second set saw a momentary lapse as double faults allowed Stearns to take a 4-2 lead, but Raducanu regained her focus, reeling off four consecutive games to clinch the match. “I know Peyton is a really tough opponent, we’ve played two times in the past and always had really long matches,” she noted. “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.”
Born in Toronto to a Romanian father, Ion, and a Chinese mother, Renee, Raducanu moved to Bromley, England, at age two, but her Canadian roots run deep. Fluent in English, Romanian, and Mandarin, she carries a multicultural identity that resonates with fans, especially in Montreal, where she competed in only her second career event in Canada after a first-round loss in Toronto in 2022. Her performance at the National Bank Open, a tournament running from July 26 to August 7, 2025, comes on the heels of a stellar semifinal run at the Citi Open in Washington, where she defeated top players like Marta Kostyuk, Naomi Osaka, and Maria Sakkari. This momentum has lifted her from No. 46 to No. 37 in the live WTA rankings, positioning her just outside the top 32—a critical threshold for a potential US Open seeding.
Raducanu’s third-round opponent, American fifth seed and 2025 Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova, presents a formidable challenge. The pair have met twice in 2025, with Raducanu holding a 2-0 edge, including a 6-3, 7-5 win at the Australian Open and a 6-1, 6-3 rout in Miami. Anisimova, coming off a 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, is looking to rebound from a humbling 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final. Raducanu’s preparation for this matchup is bolstered by her work with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, formerly of Maria Sharapova and Osaka, which has enhanced her physical resilience. Her 16 tournaments played in 2025 match her 2024 total, a sign of her improved durability after past injuries.
The Montreal run is a pivotal moment for Raducanu, whose 2021 US Open title as a qualifier remains a career-defining achievement. Her 2025 season has seen highs, like a third-round Australian Open appearance and a Miami quarterfinal, and lows, including early exits in Singapore and Abu Dhabi. “I’m really happy with how I came through in that match,” she said of her win over Stearns, reflecting her growing confidence. With coach Mark Petchey back in her corner after a brief Wimbledon-related hiatus, Raducanu is finding stability. Her ability to navigate personal challenges, including unsettling incidents with overzealous fans in Dubai earlier this year, underscores her mental toughness. As she aims for a deep run in Montreal and a seeded spot at the US Open, starting August 24, Raducanu’s Canadian homecoming is a story of talent, grit, and a heartfelt connection to her birthplace.
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