On a vibrant Sunday afternoon in Miami Gardens, the tennis world turns its gaze toward an electrifying third-round showdown at the Miami Open. Britain’s Emma Raducanu, the former U.S. Open champion, is set to face off against a rising star from across the Atlantic—America’s McCartney Kessler. This matchup, slated for March 23, 2025, promises to be a clash of grit, talent, and ambition, as both players vie for a coveted spot in the last 16 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Raducanu, currently ranked 60th in the world, has ignited her 2025 season with a surge of momentum in Miami. She kicked off her campaign with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over 19-year-old Japanese wildcard Sayaka Ishii, a match that showcased her precision and poise. But it was her second-round triumph that truly turned heads—a grueling, nearly three-hour battle against world No. 10 Emma Navarro. The Brit edged out the eighth seed 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-6(3), marking her third career win over a Top 10 player and her first on hard courts. “I know she’s a really tough opponent,” Raducanu said of her next challenge, her voice carrying a mix of respect and resolve. “She’s been playing really well and winning a lot of matches recently, in great form. It’s a match where I know I’m going to have to be at my best to get through.”
That opponent is McCartney Kessler, a 25-year-old American who has carved out a remarkable ascent in the tennis ranks. Ranked 48th globally, Kessler is just one spot shy of her career-high of 47, a milestone she hit in January after clinching the Hobart International title. Her 2025 season has been a breakout, with a second WTA 250 crown in Hobart and a runner-up finish at the ATX Open in March—all on hard courts, the surface she’ll battle Raducanu on. Kessler’s journey to the third round in Miami has been no cakewalk. She opened with a hard-fought 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win over world No. 50 Marie Bouzkova, then outlasted 31st-ranked Linda Noskova in a 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 thriller. Her tenacity shone through, and now she stands on the cusp of a career-defining moment.
Born in Calhoun, Georgia, Kessler’s path to this stage blends collegiate excellence with professional grit. A standout at the University of Florida, she earned three All-American honors before turning pro, catapulting from outside the Top 200 in early 2024 to the brink of the Top 40 today. Her signature moment this year came in Dubai, where she stunned world No. 3 Coco Gauff 6-4, 7-5, a victory that sent shockwaves through the sport. “I just saw the end of her match in Dubai with Coco,” Raducanu noted, hinting at the challenge ahead. Kessler’s game—once rooted in defense—has evolved into a potent mix of power and consistency, making her a formidable foe.
For Raducanu, this match is another chapter in a season of redemption. After a rocky start to 2025, plagued by injuries and a coaching carousel, her Miami run signals a resurgence. The 22-year-old, who rocketed to fame with her 2021 U.S. Open triumph, has faced relentless scrutiny since. Yet, against Navarro, she displayed the fight that silenced doubters, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the third set to seize victory in a tiebreak. Now, she’s poised to crack the Top 50 again with a deep run in Florida, where the stakes—and the heat—are rising.
The matchup, their first ever, is scheduled fourth on the Grandstand court, with play beginning at 11:00 AM local time (3:00 PM GMT). The winner could face Russia’s Mirra Andreeva or American Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round, adding intrigue to an already stacked draw. As the Miami Open unfolds, with heavyweights like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek still in contention, this Raducanu-Kessler duel stands out—a test of experience versus emergence, of a champion reclaiming her stride against a star staking her claim. Tennis fans are in for a treat as these two warriors step into the South Florida sun, each chasing glory one swing at a time.
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