Emma Raducanu Advances to Acapulco Semifinals with Straight-Sets Victory Over Maria Sakkari

Emma Raducanu continued her impressive comeback from injury by defeating fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco today. The 23-year-old British star reached her first WTA semifinal since returning to competitive tennis, demonstrating the improved fitness and tactical awareness that have marked her gradual return to elite-level competition over the past month.

Raducanu controlled the match from the opening games, using her powerful groundstrokes and improved court positioning to neutralize Sakkari's aggressive baseline game. The 2021 US Open champion broke serve early in both sets and maintained her advantage through consistent serving and smart shot selection that kept the Greek veteran off balance. "I'm really pleased with how I competed today," Raducanu said after the match. "Maria is such a tough opponent, and to beat her in straight sets gives me a lot of confidence heading into the semifinals."

The victory marked a significant milestone in Raducanu's recovery from the wrist and ankle injuries that sidelined her for much of the 2025 season. The former world number 10 has been working her way back through smaller tournaments and qualifiers, slowly rebuilding her ranking and, more importantly, her confidence on court. Her performance against Sakkari showcased the shot-making ability and mental toughness that made her such a sensation during her breakthrough US Open triumph nearly five years ago.

Sakkari, who entered the match as the highest remaining seed in the draw, struggled to find her rhythm against Raducanu's varied pace and spin. The world number 8 managed just two break point opportunities throughout the match and was unable to establish the aggressive baseline exchanges that typically favor her power game. "Emma played a very smart match today," Sakkari acknowledged postgame. "She mixed up her shots well and didn't give me many chances. She's clearly getting back to her best level."

Raducanu's semifinal opponent will be determined by the evening match between Coco Gauff and Beatriz Haddad Maia, setting up a potentially blockbuster semifinal that would generate significant attention for the Mexican tournament. Regardless of the opponent, Raducanu's run to the semifinals represents her best result since returning from injury and suggests that her ranking, currently at 89, will continue its upward trajectory throughout the spring hard court season.

The British player's team, led by coach Dmitry Tursunov, has emphasized a patient approach to her comeback, focusing on building match fitness and confidence rather than rushing back to the biggest tournaments. That strategy appears to be paying dividends, as Raducanu has won eight of her last ten matches across different events, gradually increasing the level of competition as her form has improved. Her serve, in particular, has shown marked improvement, with today's performance featuring 6 aces and a 68% first-serve percentage.

As Raducanu prepares for her first WTA semifinal in over 18 months, the tennis world is taking notice of her resurgence. The combination of her natural talent, improved physical conditioning, and renewed confidence suggests that she could be poised for a return to the sport's upper echelon. With the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments approaching next month, Raducanu's performance in Acapulco could serve as a springboard for what many hope will be a sustained return to the form that made her one of tennis' most exciting young stars.