British tennis star Emma Raducanu began her Canadian Open campaign on a high note, defeating Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets, while fellow Briton Katie Boulter exited in the first round after a disappointing loss to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua.
Raducanu, currently ranked British number one, showcased her hard-court prowess with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Ruse in Montreal. The win builds on her impressive run at the Washington Open last week, where she reached the semi-finals, and adds momentum to her preparations for the upcoming US Open — the final Grand Slam of the year.
The 22-year-old is now poised to play in all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season for the first time since 2022, a testament to her renewed form and fitness after a period marked by injuries and inconsistent performances. Her next test will be against 32nd seed and rising American star Peyton Stearns in the second round.
“Playing someone you know well is never easy, and Elena is a good friend,” Raducanu said in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. “But I’m proud of how I managed to compartmentalize that and get the job done. It’s also great to back up a good week in Washington.”
Raducanu displayed composure early in the match, surviving five break points in her opening service game before reeling off five consecutive games to close out the first set. In the second, the pair exchanged early breaks, but Raducanu regained control at 4-4, securing a crucial break and holding serve to seal the win.
The victory over Ruse — whom Raducanu also defeated in Auckland in 2024 — marks her fourth win in five matches since her loss to Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon earlier this month. Her recent form on the North American hard-court swing is encouraging, especially as she looks to recapture the magic of her stunning 2021 US Open triumph.
If Raducanu advances past Stearns, she could face a third-round clash against fifth seed and 2025 Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova, setting up what could be one of the marquee matches of the early rounds in Montreal.
Meanwhile, Boulter’s North American tour got off to a rough start. The 28-year-old struggled to find her rhythm in a 6-1, 7-5 defeat to Zarazua, failing to mount a serious comeback after a lopsided first set. Although she avoided a bagel by saving two set points to reach 5-1, Zarazua quickly closed out the opener. Boulter offered more resistance in the second set, but her efforts were ultimately in vain as the Mexican secured the win without facing significant pressure.
Boulter’s early exit comes as a setback for her hard-court season, especially with the US Open looming in late August. She’ll now need to recalibrate quickly if she hopes to build momentum ahead of the year’s final major.
For British tennis fans, all eyes will now turn to Raducanu, who continues to rebuild her confidence and form on the road to Flushing Meadows. With growing consistency and renewed self-belief, she remains one of the sport’s most intriguing comeback stories in 2025.
