Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
A shadow swallowed much of Hard Rock Stadium court when Emma Raducanu torched the winning light.
Raducanu raced through 10 of the last 11 games dismissing wild card Sayaka Ishii 6-2, 6-1 charging to her first career win at the Miami Open.
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Raducanu tore through nine straight games to blow open a 2-all tie and put the match out of reach.
The victory vaults Raducanu into what could be an entertaining Emma Encounter. Raducanu will face world No. 10 Emma Navarro next.
Earlier this month, a dominant Navarro dished a double-bagel final to win the Merida Open crown.
Facing an inexperienced world No. 188, who was playing just her fourth Tour-level main-draw match, Raducanu called the shots from start to finish in today's first match on Hard Rock Stadium.
While one can point to Ishii's erratic ground strokes, unfamiliarity on a stage as massive as Hard Rock Stadium and the fact she won just four points on second serve as key factors, credit Raducanu for doing exactly what she needed to do earning her first win since she beat Maria Sakkari in her Dubai opener last month.
In the Dubai second round, Raducanu broke down in tears and took refuge behind the chair umpire's stand after spotting a male stalker, who had approached her in a calf, seated in the second row.
Today, Raducanu saw her early 2-0 lead evaporate—and then she elevated.
The 2021 US Open champion converted five of six break points, repeatedly ravaged the 19-year-old Ishii's second serve and played clean service games.
World No. 60 Raducanu served 68 percent, smacked six aces against one double fault and permitted just six points on first serve.
Whipping the wide serve to displace the teenager, Raducanu rapped a forehand crosscourt holding for 5-2.
An elaborate takeback on her forehand can pose challenges for Ishii timing that wing. The Japanese sailed a forehand as Raducanu broke for the third time taking a one-set lead with a clenched fist.
The 22-year-old Briton burst through 12 of the first 14 points of the second set snatching a 6-2, 3-0 lead and never looked back.