Emma Raducanu has witnessed a resurgence in her tennis form in the last month-and-a-half. Her heroics at the Miami Open, making it to the QF, have really boosted the 2021 US Open winner’s confidence ahead of the second major event of the season – French Open. While she couldn’t continue the momentum in Madrid, the 22-year-old Brit has got one last crucial opportunity to prepare for the Parisian clay court challenge in Paris. It’s just weeks away from now. At the Italian Open this week, the World No.49 will look to make a deep run when she kicks off her campaign against Australia’s Maya Joint on Wednesday. But who’s going to have the last laugh? Let’s try to find out!

Emma Raducanu vs Maya Joint: Preview

Emma Raducanu’s 2025 season has been extremely underwhelming in general. Back in January, she made it to the third round of the Happy Slam but couldn’t move beyond. Former World No.1 Iga Swiatek humbled her with a breadstick and a bagel (6-1, 6-0). After Melbourne, the Brit’s form hit rock-bottom in subsequent events. At the Singapore Open, Abu Dhabi Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships, she crashed out in R32, R32, R64, and R32, respectively. The Indian Wells turned out to be no different. Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima ousted her in the first round with a score line of 6-3, 6-2.

But Raducanu finally got on to the winning momentum in the second tournament of the Sunshine Double – Miami Open. She eventually reached the last eight before losing against American star Jessica Pegula. However, the latter had to earn this win as Raducanu put on a great show. After Pegula took the first set, the Brit made a comeback and leveled the encounter to push it into a decider. Pegula was eventually able to emerge victorious with a final score line of 6-4, 6-7, 6-2. In her last campaign in Madrid, Raducanu once again failed to make a deep run after losing to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in R64 last month.

Speaking of her opponent, Aussie Maya Joint’s 2025 journey has been decent if not consistent. Back in January, she was ousted in R32 of the Brisbane International. However, the 19-year-old bounced back soon, in Hobart. She succeeded in reaching the semis before losing to Belgium’s Elise Mertens. Down under, she failed to go past the first round as Pegula edged her out in straight sets. At the Singapore Open, the World No.78 made it to the R16 but crashed out after a defeat against China’s Xinyu Wang.

In the next two tournaments, however, Joint showed a promising performance. At the WTA 125 Cancun, she managed to enter the semis and then reached the QF stage of the Merida Open. But the form took a dip again in Indian Wells as she crashed out in R128 against Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea. She found the rhythm again, making it to the QF round of the Puerto Vallarta Open. However, Joint found herself struggling, yet again, at the Madrid Open, followed by the Catalonian Open. In these two events, she was ousted early in R64 and R32 respectively.

Raducanu v Joint: Head-to-Head

Both players haven’t met in any WTA event so far. The h2h tally currently stands at 0-0. Wednesday’s match will mark their maiden face-off on the professional level.

Prediction: Emma Raducanu to win in straight sets

Surprisingly, the teenager from Australia has got a better singles record than Emma Raducanu this season. Compared to the Brit (4-8), Maya Joint has won 13 of her 23 matches so far. Yes, it’s not an impressive performance, but still slightly better than her rival.

Speaking of their event history, Raducanu hasn’t had a good experience at the Italian Open. Back in 2022, she played here for the first time. Unfortunately, she was forced to walk out due to an injury in the first round against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu. When it comes to Joint, it will be her maiden appearance in Rome.

But what about their playing styles? Well, Raducanu relies heavily on her powerful backhand a solid serve. She’s also smooth in covering the court between the baseline and the net. Not to mention her backhand that she uses to take the ball early and hit it down the line. Also watch out for her impactful forehand that can build added pressure on the opponents. Joint, on the other hand, is an aggressive baseliner. Her net game is yet to see further improvement considering she’s still young in her career.

Now taking the overall form into account, Joint may appear as the favorite. However, it won’t be apt to simply write off the Brit. Why? Well, she’s much more experienced on the professional level than the Aussie who turned pro just last December. While the odds are against her, Emma Raducanu is still expected to emerge victorious on Wednesday in straight sets.