Emma Raducanu blitzes Canadian Open rival to set showdown with Wimbledon runner-up

Emma Raducanu stormed past No. 32 seed Peyton Stearns to set up a mouthwatering contest with Amanda Anisimova in Montreal. The Brit needed just 95 minutes to get past Stearns on Wednesday afternoon, recovering from an early break deficit in the second set to win 6-2 6-4.

She will now face No. 5 seed Anisimova, who is playing her first tournament since reaching a maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. Raducanu and Anisimova are good friends, and the current world No. 33 has won both matches they've played this year.

Raducanu has been in top form in recent weeks. She pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon before bowing out in the third round, and then reached the semi-final in Washington.

The 22-year-old had never played in Montreal until now, with the ATP and WTA 1000 events alternating host cities between Montreal and Toronto. But she's off to a flying start in Quebec.

After taking out one of her friends in Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Monday, Raducanu was back to business against dangerous American Stearns. She broke twice to storm through the opening set and then won the last four games of the match from 4-2 down.

"I know Peyton is a really tough opponent, we've played two times in the past and always had really long matches. I'm really happy with how I came through in that match," Raducanu told the crowd.

"I kind of lost my focus at some moments in the second set and she took advantage, but very happy that I came through against a top opponent and happy to extend my stay in Montreal."

Raducanu also has a special connection to Canada - she was born there. And there were a few Brits in the stands to cheer her on in Montreal.

She added: "I just want to say thank you, I saw the Union Jack in clutch moments and I was actually born in Canada, so to come back and to me it means so much to do well here and very happy to be into the next round."

The British No. 1 now takes on Anisimova, who received a bye into the second round and beat Lulu Sun 6-4 7-6(5).

Raducanu and Anisimova have a close bond, but that won't make it any easier to face off on the court. After beating another one of her friends in round one, the former US Open champion said: "It's very difficult to play someone who you're close to."

But the 22-year-old has had no trouble playing Anisimova this year. Raducanu beat the world No. 7 at the Australian Open and Miami Open, and she'll be hoping to make it three wins in a row.

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