Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star and 2021 US Open champion, is set to face off against American powerhouse Amanda Anisimova in the third round of the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal. The clash, scheduled for August 1, 2025, pits two young talents with contrasting journeys—Raducanu’s resurgence after injury and Anisimova’s meteoric rise to a career-high No. 7 ranking. As the tennis world anticipates this high-stakes encounter, Raducanu holds a psychological advantage, having defeated Anisimova in both of their previous meetings this year. Those victories, at the Australian Open and Miami Open, showcased Raducanu’s grit and versatility, setting the stage for a thrilling rematch on the hard courts of IGA Stadium.
Their first encounter came in the second round of the Australian Open in January 2025, a match that tested Raducanu’s resilience. Battling a nagging back injury, she required two medical timeouts but refused to wilt under pressure. Anisimova, then ranked No. 17, surged ahead with a break in both sets, capitalizing on Raducanu’s physical struggles. Yet, the Briton’s mental fortitude shone through. She clawed back to win 6-3, 7-5 in a grueling battle that featured 13 breaks of serve. “To make it past the second round means a lot to me,” Raducanu said post-match, her voice tinged with relief. “I was able to push past some pain.” The victory marked a significant step in her comeback, proving she could compete at the Grand Slam level despite physical setbacks. For Anisimova, the loss was a missed opportunity, though her aggressive baseline game hinted at the form that would later propel her to the Wimbledon final.
Two months later, on March 24, 2025, the pair met again in the fourth round of the Miami Open, where Raducanu delivered a masterclass. Unlike the tense Melbourne duel, this match was a one-sided affair. Raducanu stormed through the first set in just 24 minutes, not dropping a single point on her serve. She maintained her dominance in the second, securing two breaks to close out a 6-1, 6-3 rout. Anisimova, hampered by a wrist issue, struggled to find her rhythm, her powerful groundstrokes misfiring under Raducanu’s relentless pressure. “Playing Amanda is never easy, she’s had some amazing wins, top 20 and won a Masters this year,” Raducanu reflected afterward. “I felt something was maybe going down on the other side. It’s really difficult to stay focused when your opponent is making errors and then blasting winners.” Her ability to stay locked in, even as Anisimova’s game fluctuated, underscored her growing maturity on the WTA Tour.
These victories give Raducanu a 2-0 head-to-head lead, but the Montreal clash promises a fresh challenge. Anisimova, now a Wimbledon finalist and Qatar Open champion, has elevated her game since their last meeting. Her 12-6 hard-court record in 2025, bolstered by 11 aces in her second-round win over Lulu Sun (6-4, 7-6) in Montreal, highlights her serving prowess. Raducanu, ranked No. 33, counters with a 12-8 hard-court record and recent momentum from a Citi Open semi-final run, where she defeated Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari. Her second-round victory over Peyton Stearns (6-2, 6-4) in Montreal showed resilience, as she rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the second set. “I’m really happy with how I came through,” she said, acknowledging the home crowd’s support, especially poignant given her Canadian birthplace.
The friendship between Raducanu and Anisimova adds intrigue. “She’s a nice girl, always bringing good energy,” Anisimova said before their Australian Open clash, noting their shared time off-court with mutual friend Priscilla Hon. Raducanu echoed the sentiment, saying, “Usually when we’re hanging out, we’re not talking about tennis.” Yet, on the court, their rivalry is fierce. Anisimova’s 62% first-serve point win rate and 60% break-point saves contrast with Raducanu’s 64% first-serve points won but lower 65% service hold rate, suggesting a battle of Anisimova’s consistency against Raducanu’s adaptability. With Raducanu’s past triumphs and Anisimova’s newfound confidence, this third-round clash is poised to be a defining moment in their young careers.
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