British number one Emma Raducanu has etched her name into the history books at the LTA's HSBC Championships, becoming the first British woman in 56 years to reach the final at Queen's Club. The 23-year-old showcased remarkable resilience and skill, navigating a challenging schedule that required her to play two matches in a single day.
Raducanu's 'super Saturday' began with a quarter-final victory over Kamilla Rakhimova, winning 6-3, 7-5, despite needing a medical time-out for a heavily bandaged left thigh. Showing no discernible discomfort, she returned to the court to face American teenager Iva Jovic in the semi-finals, where she delivered a dominant performance, securing a 6-2, 6-2 victory in front of a fervent crowd at the Andy Murray Arena.
The last British woman to reach the Queen's final was Winnie Shaw in 1970, with Ann Jones being the last British female winner in 1969. The women's draw was not a regular feature of the tournament between 1974 and 2024, making Raducanu's achievement particularly significant upon its return. Her formidable forehand proved to be a key weapon against Jovic, who struggled to convert crucial break points in the second set.
Speaking after her historic win, Raducanu expressed her delight, stating, "It means everything to be doing it here at Queen's in front of everyone. The support today for the whole day was electric. If you ask any player, especially any Brit, they would love to lift the title here." She added, "This week has been incredible. I've really enjoyed playing here, and I think that really shows in my tennis and how I've been able to compete and stick out some really tough moments. It means everything to be making it through to Sunday.”
While hopes for an all-British final were dashed, Katie Boulter's impressive run at the tournament also came to an end in the semi-finals. Boulter, making her first last-four appearance at Queen's, was defeated by Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-1, 6-3. Despite the loss, Boulter, currently ranked 73rd in the world, remains optimistic about the rest of the grass court season, noting that the experience has been a valuable learning curve.
Raducanu will now face Donna Vekic in Sunday's final, with the opportunity to claim her first-ever grass court title and emulate Ann Jones's 1969 triumph. The final promises to be a compelling contest as Raducanu seeks to cap off a memorable week with a coveted trophy on home soil.
Source: LTA