Emma Raducanu's Miami Open match against fellow British player Sonay Kartal has been canceled as the former US Open champion withdraws from the tournament. Raducanu, seeded 24th, was set to face Kartal in the third round but will not compete due to ongoing health issues. The withdrawal marks her second absence from a tournament in three years, following a similar exit in 2024 after a lower back injury. The cancellation comes as Raducanu continues to deal with the lingering effects of a viral infection she contracted during a recent tournament in the Middle East. She had previously struggled with health problems during the Cluj tournament, where she reached the final. Her absence from the Miami Open is expected to result in a drop in her ranking, which could have long-term implications for her career. Raducanu was anticipated to face Kartal, a close friend and fellow British player, in the tournament. Kartal, who had to first overcome Peyton Stearns in the previous round, was seen as a potential highlight for British fans. However, the matchup will not materialize, leaving fans disappointed. Raducanu’s recent performance at the Indian Wells tournament showed some signs of improvement, as she reached the third round. She lost to Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, acknowledging the gap in power and serve speed between them. “When I'm playing someone at the top like that, I think they have an extra 10 miles an hour on their serve,” she said. She emphasized the need to be more aggressive in matches against top players but admitted there is still room for growth. Raducanu has also been without a full-time coach since splitting with Francisco Roig in January. While she worked with Mark Petchey during the Indian Wells tournament, their partnership is now uncertain following her Miami withdrawal.#emma_raducanu #indian_wells_tournament #miami_open #sonay_kartal #cluj_tournament
