Palm Springs, USA Britain’s Emma Raducanu saw her run at the 2026 Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas Open) cut short in the third round, falling 6‑1, 6‑1 to sixth seed Amanda Anisimova in just 52 minutes.
The loss marks an early exit for Raducanu, the 23 year old British No. 1, at one of the WTA Tour’s marquee hard court tournaments. She now turns her focus to the Miami Open, scheduled for next month.
Anisimova Controls the Match
From the opening game, Anisimova set the tone, breaking Raducanu’s serve immediately and maintaining dominance throughout. The American’s consistent power and aggressive shot making kept Raducanu on the back foot, leaving little room for a comeback.
Statistically, it was a one sided affair: Raducanu managed only two winners compared to 21 from Anisimova, and rarely threatened on return. After the match, Anisimova described her performance as confident and enjoyable, noting that she played without pressure.
Raducanu’s Form Struggles
Raducanu struggled to find rhythm, with her serve inconsistent and movement lacking urgency. She acknowledged after the match that when facing top level opponents like Anisimova, small differences in power and consistency are quickly exposed.
Looking Ahead
The defeat contrasts sharply with her second round win over Anastasia Zakharova, a straight sets victory that had raised expectations for a deeper run. With the Miami Open approaching in about ten days, Raducanu will have limited time to regroup mentally and physically, aiming to regain the form that helped her capture a Grand Slam title in 2021.
For Anisimova, the victory secures a place in the last 16 at Indian Wells, where she will look to continue her strong performance and build on the confidence displayed against Raducanu.