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In a battle of former US Open champions, Emma Raducanu will take on Bianca Andreescu in the first round of the 2023 Miami Open, in what promises to be an exciting clash. Like many fans around the world, 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert is also eagerly awaiting the encounter, which she reckons is going to be "fireworks."
Speaking to Eurosport, Evert admitted that she was looking forward to the match between two players who had "tremendous potential" but were also trying to find their confidence and champion mentality once again.
“When I saw that line-up and that Emma Raducanu had to play bianca Andreescu, I was like, ‘Oh, that's going to be fireworks.' These are two players that have tremendous potential."
"They have won majors, are playing in the first round, are trying to get their game back - trying to get there not only physically, but trying to get that confidence, that champion mentality back and trying to get their game to where they had it when they won Majors," Evert said.
The American had no doubt that it would be great for the spectators, adding that it was also a clash that proved just how much depth there was in women's tennis at the moment.
“It's great for the spectators. It's a big draw. It's going to be an exciting match. I know I'll be there to watch it, but it's a shame for them because they need some easier draws to get matches to regain that confidence," Evert said. "I think this says a lot about women's tennis, how deep the fields are and how many really good players there are out there.”
"I am very happy to see Emma Raducanu doing well" - Chris Evert
Chris Evert further commented that she was "very happy" to see Emma Raducanu doing well, a reflection on the Brit reaching the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open last week. The former US Open champion beat two seeded players - Magda Linette and Beatriz Haddad Maia - enroute to the Round of 16, where she lost to World No. 1 Iga Swaitek.
Evert was of the opinion that Raducanu was on the right path to find her mojo back, pointing to how aggressive she played at Indian Wells -- much similar to the way she played during that memorable run at Flushing Meadows.
“I am very happy to see Emma Raducanu doing well. She had a tough go after she won the US Open and I don't think she really knew what hit her after a while," Evert said. "Everybody was really gunning for her and she played scared a little bit. I liked how aggressive and bold she was at Indian Wells."
The winner of the clash between Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu will take on seventh seed Maria Sakkari in the second round of the 2023 Miami Open.
