Emma Raducanu powers past Peyton Stearns to reach quarter-finals in Washington

Emma Raducanu powered past Peyton Stearns in straight sets to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Washington Open.

The 21-year-old defeated the US talent 7-6 6-2, despite lengthy match delays due to a sudden downpour.

She will now face the winner of Thursday’s meeting between wild card Paula Badosa and third seed Liudmila Samsonova.

Raducanu encountered choppy waters in the fourth game, surviving two break points as her double faults piled up, but she showed resolve to close out the game and then break her opponent in the fifth.

Stearns, ranked 51 in the world, produced some classy shots but Raducanu remained in control until heavy rain started falling as she served to secure the opening set.

After a two-hour delay, she clinched the first set 7-6 (8-6) in a tiebreaker.

“It’s tricky today, when you get rained off at such a big moment like that. It can affect the dynamics of the match,” Raducanu said after the game.

“I think I did a pretty good job of coming out pretty strong and toughing out that tiebreak.”

With the first set under her belt, the 2021 US Open Champion broke away early in the second, going up 3-0 early on.

Raducanu, now ranked 69, thanked the crowd for their patience during the late-night thriller.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match against Peyton, especially playing at home,” she said.

“It’s been a good run for me in the last few months, I think I’m building some momentum.”

The young talent, who is still managing her comeback after wrist and ankle surgery, turned down the invitation to represent Team GB in Paris because she did not want to switch back to playing on clay at Roland Garros ahead of the forthcoming US Open.