Jul 28, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Emma Raducanu (GBR) serves the ball to Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) in first round play at IGA Stadium.

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Emma Raducanu Joins Elite British List With Landmark Win at the National Bank Open 2025 WTA-1000

British No. 1 reached the semis in Washington DC last week.

Jul 28, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Emma Raducanu (GBR) serves the ball to Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) in first round play at IGA Stadium.

World No. 33 Emma Raducanu continued her rich vein of form on Monday, beating Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania 6-2 6-4 at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada. The British No. 1 has been playing some of her best tennis since winning the US Open four years ago. Raducanu, who jumped up 13 spots in the rankings after a great week in Washington DC, will face young American Peyton Stearns in the next round. But by sealing victory vs Ruse, the 22-year-old joined an elite list.

The Citi DC Open at the American capital saw Raducanu pick up massive victories over the likes of Naomi Osaka, Maria Sakkari and Marta Kostyuk. While fans anticipated a potential rematch of the final at Flushing Meadows in 2021 (against Leylah Fernandez), the British sensation couldn’t get over the line against Anna Kalinskaya of Russia in the semifinals. This week in Montreal, she will be hoping to gather more momentum and steam before heading to New York.

Emma Raducanu Joins Konta, Watson in Illustrious List of British WTA-1000 Giants

Raducanu was put under pressure in her very first service game, as she faced five break points. But after navigating multiple challenges on her own serve, the Brit managed to break Ruse in Game-5 to open up the encounter. She proceeded to claim six consecutive games before being broken back in the second set. As the rallies extended under the warm conditions in Montreal, both players seemed to lose the zing in their groundstrokes.

10 – Only Johanna Konta in 2016 (19) has won more WTA-1000 main draw matches in a single entire season than Emma Raducanu in 2025 (10) among British players since the format’s introduction in 2009. Decalogue.#OBN25 | @OBNmontreal @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/35Afz2T8V4
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 28, 2025

In Game-7, Raducanu broke to go up 4-3 in the second set. She repeatedly looked at her box for approval and an extra push, which arrived with aplomb. After an intense 1 hour 37 minute battle, it was the Grand Slam champion who emerged victorious in straight sets. With the win, Raducanu extends her record vs Romanian players to 4-0.

This victory at the 2025 National Bank Open also earned Raducanu a new record. The 22-year-old is just the third British woman to win 20+ main draw matches at the Tier-1/WTA-1000 level – alongside Johanna Konta and Heather Watson. While the former reached the semifinals at three out of four majors, the latter is a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion.

Emma Raducanu joins elite company 👌

She’s now one of only 3 British women to win 20+ main draw matches at Tier 1/WTA 1000 level, alongside Johanna Konta and Heather Watson 🇬🇧🔥 pic.twitter.com/Fr4c0BRb48
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) July 28, 2025

‘Difficult to Play a Friend’ – Raducanu After Beating Ruse

Ahead of her highly anticipated clash against No. 32 seed Peyton Stearns, Emma Raducanu reviewed her scintillating success over Ruse. “I’m so happy to come through that,” said the former World No. 10. Last week, Raducanu had to retire midway during doubles action with Elena Rybakina at DC. Nonetheless, she has bounced back in fine style. “It’s difficult when you have to play someone you’re close to [Ruse]. So I’m really proud of how I put that to one side and backed up a good week in DC, and performed well today.”

“It’s extremely difficult [to face someone whom you know]. We spent a lot of time together in off-court practices, and she’s a great girl. It’s not nice when you see her name in the draw, but I’m really pleased with how I performed.”

Emma Raducanu will take on Peyton Stearns in the 2025 Canadian Open Round of 64 on Wednesday.

(Image Credits: David Kirouac, Imagn Images)

Citi DC Open

Elena-Gabriela Ruse

Emma Raducanu

Leylah Fernandez

National Bank Open 2025

Tennis

US Open

WTA

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.