Raducanu beats Osaka to Reach Washington Open Quarter-Finals

Emma Raducanu continued her impressive run at the Washington Open with a commanding straight-sets victory over four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old Brit followed up her first-round upset of Ukrainian seventh seed Marta Kostyuk by defeating former world number one Osaka 6-4, 6-2, showcasing the form that saw her win the 2021 US Open.

Raducanu will next face Greek wildcard Maria Sakkari in the last eight. Sakkari advanced after eliminating American second seed Emma Navarro. With this latest win, Raducanu is also set to overtake Katie Boulter as British number one when the new WTA rankings are released on Monday. Boulter had exited the tournament in the opening round against Sakkari.

Evans lose in DC

It was a disappointing day for British hopes in the men’s draw, as Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans both fell in the round of 16.

Norrie, Britain’s number two, was beaten 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 by 14th seed Brandon Nakashima. The American claimed the first set via a tie-break before securing two crucial breaks in the second to seal victory.

Meanwhile, defending champion Dan Evans was ousted by France’s Corentin Moutet. Despite a spirited fightback from 5-3 down in the second set and saving a match point, Evans was unable to force a decider, falling 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).

Raducanu took control of her match early, converting her only break point in the first set’s fifth game to claim it in 38 minutes. She struck again immediately at the start of the second, breaking Osaka’s serve and holding firm despite facing pressure in the fourth game. Another break extended her lead to 4-1.

Osaka saved two match points while serving to stay in the contest, but Raducanu held her nerve on the third to wrap up the win.

“It was always going to be a tough match,” Raducanu told Sky Sports afterwards. “Naomi’s a four-time Slam winner, a former world number one, and she’s really dangerous—especially on hard courts. I knew I had to serve well and manage my game, and I’m proud of how I did that. I started to read her serve better as the match went on, and I adapted well to the conditions.”

Raducanu is also set to return to the court later on Thursday in the women’s doubles, where she will partner Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina against Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi in the quarter-finals.