Emma Raducanu delivered an impressive display to defeat four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2 at the DC Open on Thursday, securing her place in the quarter-finals and ensuring she will regain the British number one position from Katie Boulter.
The 22-year-old's commanding performance in Washington marks her second consecutive straight-sets victory at the tournament, having previously overcome seventh seed Marta Kostyuk in her opening match.
The triumph guarantees Raducanu will overtake Boulter in the domestic rankings, ending her compatriot's brief return to the top spot following Boulter's first-round exit to Maria Sakkari earlier in the week.
Raducanu dominated from the outset, breaking Osaka's serve three times whilst saving both break points she faced during the encounter.
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|Emma Raducanu landed a commanding win over Naomi Osaka
The 2021 US Open champion struck four aces and committed just one double fault, winning 76 per cent of points on her first serve.
Osaka struggled with consistency, hitting seven double faults alongside her five aces.
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The Japanese player, who claimed US Open titles in 2018 and 2020, managed an impressive 88 per cent success rate on first serves but won only 43 per cent of second-serve points.
The British player required just 38 minutes to secure the opening set after converting her sole break opportunity in the fifth game.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu acknowledged the challenge of facing such an accomplished opponent.
"I thought it was going to be a really difficult match. Naomi's won four slams, she's been world number one, won Masters," she told Sky Sports.
"She's so dangerous and on the hard courts I think she's particularly comfortable.
"I knew I was going to have to play really well and manage my own service games, which I'm really proud of how I did."
The Briton expressed satisfaction with her tactical approach, adding: "I'm really pleased with how I handled the ball speed and the conditions here in DC."
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Right on target 🎯@EmmaRaducanu | #MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/PXUjQWzHpG
— wta (@WTA) July 24, 2025
Raducanu advances to face Maria Sakkari in Friday's quarter-final, having won all three previous encounters against the Greek player without dropping a set.
The victory moves the 46th-ranked Briton closer to securing a seeding for next month's US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Currently competing without a permanent coach following uncertainty over her partnership with Mark Petchey, Raducanu has only hitting partner Alexis Canter in her corner in Washington.
British men's hopes ended on Thursday as Cameron Norrie fell 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to American 14th seed Brandon Nakashima, whilst 2023 champion Dan Evans lost 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) to France's Corentin Moutet.
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