Emma Raducanu broke through for a rare third win in a row on Monday, booking a spot in the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters.
The 2021 US Open champion whose game has fallen flat in the 18 months since her surprise Grand Slam trophy, beat Brazil’s Beatriz Gaddad Maia 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
It was only the second time since her Open successes that Raducanu has strung together three straight wins.
“I am extremely happy with the way I fought and dug in in the third set,” Raducanu told British media.
“I dropped my intensity a bit in second and, against such a great opponent like Beatriz, that’s enough and it’s a 6-2 set before you know it.
“I was very happy with how I managed to regain my focus and intensity and come back in the third.
“For me it’s pretty amazing, I haven’t really prepared for this tournament or practised, so to come out and play at this level and be competitive is a great sign for me.”
The Briton needed almost two and a half hours to see it through with three breaks of her opponent’s serve.
She is into the last 16 of a WTA 1000-level event for the first time ever. it ook a third set which lasted for more than an hour and four match points for Raducanu to move through into unknown territory on the Tour.
