Emma Raducanu’s return to the National Bank Open in Montreal for the 2025 season was a testament to her resilience and growing confidence on the WTA Tour, even if it ended abruptly against a formidable opponent. The 22-year-old British No. 1, who skipped the tournament in 2024 to focus on recovery, showcased her hard-court prowess with two straight-set victories before a crushing 6-2, 6-1 defeat to Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in the third round. Despite the swift exit after just 64 minutes, Raducanu’s performance in Montreal earned her a respectable prize money haul and crucial ranking points, bolstering her chances of securing a seeded position at the upcoming US Open. “I’m really happy with how I came through in that match,” Raducanu said after her second-round win, reflecting her optimism despite the eventual setback. Her journey in Canada, while short, underscores her potential as she eyes a deep run in New York.
Raducanu’s 2025 Canadian Open campaign began with a confident 6-3, 6-4 victory over close friend Elena-Gabriela Ruse, a match that highlighted her sharp baseline play and improved serve consistency. “It’s extremely difficult [playing someone you know so well],” she admitted, noting the challenge of facing a familiar opponent. “I’m really pleased with how I performed myself.” She followed with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over American Peyton Stearns, the 32nd seed, dominating early rallies and holding firm in clutch moments. “I know Peyton is a really tough opponent, we’ve played two times in the past and always had really long matches,” Raducanu said, praising Stearns’ resilience. These wins, coming off a semifinal run at the Citi DC Open where she defeated top players like Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari, signaled a return to form for the 2021 US Open champion.
However, Anisimova, ranked world No. 7, proved too strong in the third round, capitalizing on Raducanu’s 22 unforced errors and winning 81% of her first-serve points. The loss halted Raducanu’s progress but didn’t erase the financial and ranking rewards from her three-match run. The 2025 Canadian Open, a WTA 1000 event, saw a significant 44% prize money increase from 2024, with the women’s singles champion set to earn $752,275. Raducanu, reaching the third round, pocketed $33,000 for her efforts, a notable addition to her career earnings of approximately $5.4 million, largely driven by her $2.5 million US Open triumph. Had she advanced past Anisimova to the fourth round, her prize money would have jumped to $56,703, but the $33,000 reflects her solid showing in a competitive field.
In terms of ranking points, the Canadian Open offered Raducanu a golden opportunity to climb the WTA ladder, especially since she had no points to defend from 2024, when her ranking was too low for direct entry. As a WTA 1000 event, the tournament awards 1,000 points to the champion and 65 points for third-round participants. Raducanu earned 10 points for entering the draw, 30 for reaching the second round, and an additional 25 for the third round, totaling 65 points. Starting the week at No. 33, her Montreal performance lifted her to No. 37 in the WTA Live Rankings, though she’s projected to drop to No. 39 due to the loss of 108 points from her 2024 Citi DC Open quarterfinal. “Securing a top 32 seeding for the US Open is achievable,” noted a tennis analyst, highlighting Raducanu’s chance to improve her draw with a strong Cincinnati Open showing, where she also has no points to defend.
The Montreal run adds to Raducanu’s impressive 2025 season, which includes a 21-15 win/loss record, a Miami Open quarterfinal, and a Wimbledon third-round appearance. Her collaboration with coach Mark Petchey and fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura has fueled her resurgence, though challenges remain, including a recent stalking incident in Dubai that left her shaken. “I just want to say thank you [to the fans], I saw the Union Jack in clutch moments,” she said in Montreal, reflecting her connection to supporters. Fans on social media echoed her enthusiasm, with one posting, “Emma’s back and ready to climb those rankings!” As she heads to Cincinnati, Raducanu’s $33,000 and 65 points from Montreal are stepping stones toward a potential US Open seeding, cementing her status as a player to watch in the hard-court season.
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