Emma Raducanu’s return to court ended in defeat as she was beaten in straight sets by Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
Raducanu, who was playing in her first tournament since being accosted on court by a ‘fixated man’ in Dubai started strongly and broke Uchijima’s serve in the first game before opening up a 2-0 lead.
The Japanese then mastered the windy and hot conditions to rattle off four games in a row and eventually claim the first set 6-3.
The second set opened in similar fashion but it was Raducanu who was broken in the first game and from there she was on the backfoot. The Brit found it tough to truly challenge Uchijima’s serve and her accuracy was slightly off meaning she racked up a lot on unforced errors.
Uchijima remained composed. She held her serve and won crucial points to inch slowly towards victory before ending the match with a hold to love for a 6-3 6-2 victory.
The USA’s Coco Gauff waits for Uchijima in the next round while Raducanu will head to the training courts to prepare for the Miami Open.
Relive the updates from Indian Wells:
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima LIVE
- Emma Raducanu beaten by Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells
- Uchijima masters wind for 6-3 6-2 straight set victory
- Pair clashed in first round with winner set to face America's Coco Gauff
Emma Raducanu moves on from Dubai incident but looks to improve ‘everything’ in her game
08:26 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu said she “did not feel anxious” on the court as she returned to action for the first time since dealing with a stalker at the Dubai Open last month.
The 22-year-old was beaten in straight sets by Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of Indian Wells on Thursday amid extra security in California.
The former US Open champion reported unwanted attention from a “fixated” man last month in Dubai, who then turned up on court during her match against Karolina Muchova.
Raducanu has looked to move on from the incident and said will look to improve “everything” about her game following a 6-3 6-2 defeat to Uchijima in blustery conditions
Emma Raducanu moves on from Dubai incident but looks to improve ‘everything’
Emma Raducanu returns to action with straight sets defeat to Moyuka Uchijima
07:11 , Mike JonesEmma Raducanu lost 6-3 6-2 to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima on her return to action in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
Raducanu was playing for the first time since dealing with a stalker at the Dubai Open last month.
The former US Open champion, 22, is receiving extra security in California after the man was able to approach her twice while she was alone.
Emma Raducanu returns to action with straight set defeat to Moyuka Uchijima
GAME, SET and MATCH! Emma Raducanu 3-6 2-6 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:58 , Mike JonesOkay. Will this be the last game of the match?
Moyuka Uchijima is serving for a place in the second round and starts by taking the first point.
The next rally sees her whip a forehand across court and Raducanu can’t get there. 30-0.
A failed backhand return gives the Japanese three match points...
... Raducanu goes long, Uchijima beats Raducanu in straight sets!
Emma Raducanu 3-6 2-5 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:55 , Mike JonesThat last game was a big hold for Uchijima and she goes on the offensive with the help of the wind.
A lofted shot is blown across court for Raducanu to chase it. That leaves the Brit out of position and Uchijima capitalises.
The Japanese moves 0-30 ahead against the serve before a wonderful backhand whip sets up three break points.
Uchijima breaks! That could be curtains for Raducanu.
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 2-4 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:52 , Mike JonesIt’s a battle. Uchijima misses a chance to hold then manages to save another two break points.
An inside-out forehand from Uchijima beats Raducanu for pace and sets up a chance to hold.
She takes it! Raducanu comes up to the net and an attempted volley doesn’t make it over.
Emma Raducanu 3-6 2-3 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:46 , Mike JonesThis match is closer than it feels. Raducanu is only a few points from turning things around and her errors are only slightly out.
Uchijima is finding some joy with her forehand though and takes a 30-15 lead on her own serve.
She slices a forehand back and Raducanu misjudges the spin. She’s forced into a drop shot and pulls it off brilliantly to level the game.
A mistake from Uchijima puts the ball to long and Raducanu has a break point...
... Uchijima saves it! Deuce.
Emma Raducanu 3-6 2-3 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:41 , Mike JonesHold! A strong finish to a testing game from Raducanu. She holds serve and is only one game away from getting back into this match.
Uchijima knows that if she holds her next three serves she’s through to the second round.
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 1-3 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:39 , Mike JonesRaducanu is in the last chance saloon on her own serve. Coming from two breaks down in this position will be close to impossible.
Fortunately she starts okay in her next service game and gets 30-15 ahead.
A wonderful forehand down the line takes her closer to the game at 40-15 but an error leaves her vulnerable.
At 40-30, Uchijima comes up to the net and flicks over a drop shot. It’s deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 1-3 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:35 , Mike JonesRaducanu has her back to the wall and has come out swinging. She’s backing her forehands, especially, when she goes across court and is matching Uchijima blow-for-blow.
The Japanese has the serve on her side and sends one to the left of the box, scoring an ace to nudge ahead again.
Uchijima then holds.
Emma Raducanu 3-6 1-2 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:31 , Mike JonesRaducanu holds!
She unleashes on a forceful forehand that Uchijima doesn’t get anywhere near.
That could prove to be an important hold of serve.
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 0-2 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:29 , Mike JonesThis game needs to go Raducanu’s way. She’s quickly running out of options and the sooner she gets into a rhythm the better.
A good sign is that the Brit is landing quite a lot of her first serves and when she combines that when accuracy Uchijima is finding it tough to get serves back.
Contrastingly, for every great serve there seems to be double faults creeping in.
One here allows Uchijima into the game and the Japanese smokes backhand down the line to draw level at 30-30.
A backhand from Raducanu lands in the net and Uchijima has another break point in this set.
Uchijima doesn’t capitalise. Deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 0-2 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:25 , Mike JonesRaducanu hasn’t quite found her range on court and has been punished when going too short.
Uchijima is doing a better job at grinding through rallies but Raducanu isn’t letting this match go.
She fights from 40-15 down and brings the game to deuce by working her opponent side-to-side.
If Raducanu though the door to a break was slightly ajar, Uchijima makes sure she slams it shut with two fiery forehands to hold serve.
Emma Raducanu 3-6 0-1 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:20 , Mike JonesSo, into the second set and Emma Raducanu needs to find another level.
She starts well and takes the first point of her service game. Uchijima responds with a nice drops shot though and draws level at 15-15.
A lucky bounce off the tape gives Uchijima another point. Raducanu is struggling as loses the next rally and must now defend two break points.
The first is saved as Uchijima flicks a volley that was heading wide.
A double fault gives the game to her opponent.
SET! Emma Raducanu 3-6 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:13 , Mike JonesRaducanu hooks a forehand out of play to gift a set point to Uchijima.
The Japanese player takes the set after Raducanu powers a backhand over the back of court.
Uchijima weathered the conditions well and she claims the opening set!
Emma Raducanu 3-5 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:12 , Mike JonesUchijima is serving to win the first set now. The first point goes against her as she sends one too long.
Raducanu then wins the net rally with a passing winner by smoking a backhand down the line.
The Brit fails to get a return of serve back to put Uchijima on the board before another error brings the game to 30-30.
Emma Raducanu 3-5 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:10 , Mike JonesBetter from Raducanu. She roars and pulls out the fist pump after bringing the next game level at 15-15.
A long forehand return from Uchijima sends the ball over the back of court.
Both women trade points before a double fault from Raducanu sets up another break point.
Uchijima whips a strong forehand across court and takes the game!
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 3-4 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:04 , Mike JonesUchijima will be flying high right now. She’s taken four games in a row and is seemingly handling the conditions better.
Yet, her next service game starts with two shots going long before an under hit forehand lands in the net to set up three break points for Raducanu.
The Brit breaks on her first attempt!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 2-4 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 22:02 , Mike JonesOh! What a rally.
Uchijima is forced onto the defensive and a long, long rally sees both women come forward, retreat, switch the play and loft the ball into the wind.
Raducanu takes the point with a blistering backhand and that should make her feel good.
However, Uchijima has better range and is utilising the errors Raducanu is making.
The game draws level at 30-30 before Raducanu gives up two consecutive points and Uchijima has another break of serve!
*Emma Raducanu 2-3 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:55 , Mike JonesThe first set is back on serve after Uchijima broke back against Raducanu.
The Brit hasn’t quite got used to judging the wind and his hitting a few shots too long when she tries to add some power.
If she can sharpen up the accuracy Raducanu can control this match. For now though, Uchijima takes the lead with a hold of serve gifted to her.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 2-2 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:53 , Mike JonesRaducanu falls 0-30 behind thanks to a forehand that lands too far left of the sideline.
She folles up with an ace to get on the board but miscues a simple return into the net to give up two break points.
A fine backhand puts her opponent on the back foot and Raducanu approaches the net for a drop shot volley winner.
She still has one break point to save but can’t as Uchijima launches a passing winner past her.
*Emma Raducanu 2-1 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:48 , Mike JonesUchijima has settled. She’s starting to play better tennis and work Raducanu from side to side although there are errors from both players.
A lead of 40-15 becomes a first hold of serve as Raducanu forces a backhand too wide.
Raducanu still has control.
Emma Raducanu 2-0 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:44 , Mike JonesUchijima fails to return a serve to the backhand and hooks the ball out of play to put Raducanu at advantage.
The Brit then comes up to the net and flicks over a forehand to hold serve and complete her break.
*Emma Raducanu 1-0 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:42 , Mike JonesUchijima finds her footing in this second game and gets some fortunate help from a couple of Raducanu errors.
She has a couple of break points of her own but Raducanu saves the first one with an ace!
The Brit then powers a backhand into the baseline corner and Uchijima lofts her return over the back.
Deuce.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 1-0 Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:39 , Mike JonesRaducanu shrugs off the first rally and gets onto the front foot with some heavy hitting from the baseline.
She lifts the ball up into the air to get sucked around by the wind and wins the next three points in a row.
With two break points up for grabs, Raducanu comes up to the net and smokes a cross court backhand past her opponent to secure the early break.
Emma Raducanu 0-0 Moyuka Uchijima*
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:36 , Mike JonesUchijima sends down the first serve and a short rally ensues before Raducanu hits a forehand into the net.
The first point goes to the Japanese player. 15-0.
*denotes next serve.
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:34 , Mike JonesRaducanu won the toss and will receive the first serve.
After her ordeal in Dubai she will be hoping that today’s match is a distraction and that she can get back into some kind of form.
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:33 , Mike JonesThe players receive their instructions from the match officials and then begin to warm up with a few serves.
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:29 , Mike JonesThe players make their way out onto the court. The crowd is still filling up after taking a break following the conclusion of the previous match.
Raducanu looks pretty calm but the conditions are hot and windy which may play a factor in the match.
Gauff awaits for Raducanu
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:24 , Flo CliffordEmma Raducanu is in line to meet world No 3 Coco Gauff should she win her first-round match at Indian Wells.
Raducanu will be in action for the first time since a traumatic ordeal at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai last month, where she was repeatedly approached by a stalker. The man managed to get into the first few rows at her second-round match before Raducanu spotted him; he was removed and later given a restraining order.
The 22-year-old was visibly shaken by the ordeal and has not played since, but will return at Indian Wells, reportedly with an increased security detail. Her opener will be against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, the world No 52, and if Raducanu gets past her she will face another former US Open champion in Gauff.
Emma Raducanu opens up on stalking ordeal: ‘I couldn’t see the ball through tears’
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:20 , Jack RathbornEmma Raducanu “couldn’t see the ball through tears” and could “barely breathe” throughout her stalking ordeal at the Dubai Open last month.
The 22-year-old Briton endured a harrowing ordeal when she was the target of “fixated” behaviour from a man during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova.
A visibly stressed Raducanu was brought to tears and was moved to hide behind the umpire’s chair before increased security arrived as Muchova consoled her opponent.
Emma Raducanu opens up on stalking ordeal: ‘I couldn’t see the ball through tears’
How to watch Indian Wells
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:16 , Mike JonesThe tournament is being shown live on Sky Sports Tennis. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Jacob Fearnley vs Joao Fonseca
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:15 , Mike JonesThe first match on Court 1 has finished with Joao Fonseca beating Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-2 1-6 6-3.
Emma Raducanu is up next and should be heading to court shortly.
When is Emma Raducanu playing?
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:10 , Mike JonesEmma Raducanu is scheduled to play second on Stadium 1.
The first match of the day, between fellow Briton Jacob Fearnley and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, is set for 11am PT (7pm GMT), and Raducanu v Uchijima will not begin before 1pm PT (9pm GMT).
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:07 , Mike JonesEmma Raducanu returns to action at Indian Wells and takes on Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the prestigious tournament in California.
Raducanu will be playing for the first time since her ordeal in Dubai last month, where the 22-year-old faced an approach from a “fixated man” in the crowd as she took on Karolina Muchova.
Raducanu was shaken by the incident but has decided to return for the start of the “sunshine double” at Indian Wells, which is then followed by the Miami Open later in the month.
The winner of the match between Raducanu and Uchijima, ranked 52 in the world, will face world No 3 Coco Gauff in the second round, with the American receiving a bye.
Raducanu won her only previous meeting with Uchijima, which came in Seoul in 2022.
Good evening!
Thursday 6 March 2025 21:02 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s tennis action as Emma Raducanu begins here Indian Wells campaign.
She’s up second on Court 1 and follows fellow Brit Jacob Fearnley who is locked in a decisive third set against Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.
We’ll have all the coverage of Raducanu’s match throughout the night so stick around to see if she can reach the second round.
