Raducanu set for blockbuster third-round clash with idol Halep at Indian Wells

The qualifier who won the US Open is a wildcard at Indian Wells – and has a tough opponent in store if she gets to the third round

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts after winning a point against Maria Sakkari of Greece (not pictured) on day eleven of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports / Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

October 5, 2021

Newly-crowned US Open champion Emma Raducanu could face her idol and former world No 1 Simona Halep in a fascinating third-round encounter at Indian Wells.

The British player has a first-round bye at the BNP Paribas Open, and could then meet either Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Maria Camila Osario Serrano before the potential round of 32 clash with the Romanian.

Halep also has a bye in the first round and then a possible second round against either Marta Kostyuk or Zhang Shuai.

Halep – 12 years older than the teenager – was one of Raducanu’s childhood role models and inspired some of her on-court play. Indeed, the two posed for a photo together some years ago, which former Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup captain Judy Murray shared on Twitter during the US Open.

We should never underestimate the importance of female role models in sport and creating opportunities for young athletes to get close to them. Emma Raducanu’s dad is Romanian and here she is with Simona Halep. 💕 @EmmaRaducanu @Simona_Halep pic.twitter.com/DgGugEE6Fn
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 12, 2021