Emma Raducanu claims to be a “new, better Emma” after reaching her biggest final for five years at Queen’s Club.
Raducanu was quick to pay tribute to coach Andrew Richardson, who oversaw her historic run to the US Open title in 2021. The pair reunited last month after Raducanu endured a torrid few months and suffered a post-viral illness.
“It’s great to have him back,” Raducanu said. “We have been working on this game style. The whole week I have been playing really good tennis and the brand of tennis that I really want to play.”
Since that victory at Flushing Meadows, her career has been plagued with injury and fitness issues, including surgery on both wrists and an ankle, and most recently an illness that she contracted ahead of February’s W250 Transylvania Open.
The clay season might not have gone to plan with first-round exits in Strasbourg and Roland Garros after a break of more than two months, but Raducanu’s attacking game is more suited to grass, and she showed why in west London on Saturday.
The Briton split with former coach Francisco Roig after the Australian Open at the start of the year, saying she wanted to go back to the style of tennis she played when she was younger. And who better to oversee that transition than the coach who guided her to her seismic US Open win five years ago.
Is her run at Queen’s a return to the old Emma? “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the old Emma,” Raducanu said. “I think it’s the new Emma, because you take all the lessons and experience, all the different ups and downs. You understand a lot more what’s going on and what works for you. So I’d say, I’m back and better.”
Rain earlier in the week meant Raducanu had to play her quarter and semi-finals on the same day, but she came through both in straight sets, finishing with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over the in-form Iva Jovic.
Before her 6-4, 6-2 win over Sorana Cirstea earlier on Friday, Raducanu had not beaten a player in the top-20 for over a year, but after reaching the final, she now has two to her name in the space of a two days.
The Briton might have felt tired having emerged onto the Andy Murray Arena for the second time on Saturday, less than three hours after winning her quarter-final. But her opponent Jovic was also far from well-rested.
She had played a doubles match that went well into Friday evening and lasted three sets, which likely played a part in her medical time-out after just five games to have her foot re-wrapped by the trainer. Jovic then pulled out of the doubles she was due to play on Saturday evening with a left-foot injury.
Raducanu’s serve had been a source of strength against world No 18 Cirstea in the third round; but she made several errors in the quarter-final before putting those behind her against Jovic.
“I’m playing really good,” she said. “The lessons would probably be to be my most authentic self. My personality, it’s clear this week that I had a lot of fun on the court. When I’m smiling and enjoying it, that’s when I feel the best level can kind of flow out from there, rather than trying to put me in any type of mould.
“That’s what Andrew and the rest of the team does such a great job of – they just create a space where they allow me to be myself, and seeing that come through this week has been a great reinforcement of what we have been doing.”
In the semi-final, Raducanu claimed the first set emphatically, taking it 6-2 in 45 minutes to put herself within touching distance of only her third tour-level final.
She started the second set in the same fashion as she finished off the first, holding easily and then carving out two break points in the first of Jovic’s service games, taking the second courtesy of a double fault.
But Jovic rallied and Raducanu found herself on the receiving end of three break points, and was broken to love straight away, to find her lead reduced in the second set. But like she had done so well throughout the tournament, the home hope dug deep and held her nerve.
When Jovic fired a forehand into the net on the first of Raducanu’s two match points, the Briton let out a big smile and fist pump before walking over to shake hands. It then sank in and she was able to let out a yell of elation.
Raducanu prepares for tomorrow.
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Thank you for reading tonight.
We’ll be back tomorrow for Raducanu’s final against Donna Vekic tomorrow at Queens.
We’ll see you tomorrow.
‘It means everything’ - Raducanu celebrates
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Emma Raducanu was delighted with the win, saying: “It means everything to be doing it in front of everyone. The support all day was electric so thank you so much.
“This week has been incredible. I’ve really enjoyed playing here, you stuck with me through some tough moments, I hope you guys can come back tomorrow for one more.
“Any Brit would love to win the title here. Me and my team have stuck together through some tough moments the last few months so I would like to thank them for getting me through.
“A shout out to the three guys over there in the crowd. It was 0-40 and I heard the “Radders” chant going. All the support today has been incredible”
Raducanu 6-2 6-2 Jovic
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Raducanu is through to the final as she looks to impress at Wimbledon in the coming weeks.
For months - years, really - Raducanu has struggled with her game, but she was entirely dominant against her American opponent.
The win sets her up for a final against Donna Vekic for tomorrow’s final.
RADUCANU WINS! Raducanu 6-2 6-2 Jovic
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Jovic sends her first rally of the game wide, and Jovic returns a long return from deep to the corner to move on point back.
An incisive effort from Raducanu wrong-foots Jovic, and Raducanu dispatches a lob to move two match points clear.
The Briton sees her opponent send a forehand into the net on the next point, and she has her semi-final victory.
Raducanu 6-2 5-2 Jovic*
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Jovic goes 15-0 clear as she fiercely returns a lob, and then goes 30-0 clear as she anticipates a cross-court return.
A long effort from Jovic gives Raducanu the chance to come back into the game, and she holds to level with a big serve.
A tight serve forces a second serve, but Raducanu holds on before a long pass is long, and she is 30-40 behind.
An unforced error from Jovic after Raducanu’s slice gives the English player the chance to go level, and she nudges ahead with her next serve, and another long return sends her a game from the set victory.
Raducanu* 6-2 4-2 Jovic
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Raducanu sends one long as Jovic goes 30-15 clear.
A long rally in the next point gives Briton the chance to drag one back, with the scores at 30-30.
Jovic runs to the net to beat down a Raducanu attack, leaving her on the cusp of a game win, and she holds to reduce the deficit.
Raducanu 6-2 4-1 Jovic*
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Jovic scores two early points to put the pressure on Raducanu. A long rally for the third point gives Jovic a break point.
A forceful serve in the next point gives Raducanu a point back, and her serve forces Jovic into an error as she strains to reach the ball.
Jovic sends it long to force deuce for the two players, giving the Briton the chance to come back.
The next serve from Raducanu forces Jovic too far back for Jovic to return over the net, giving her the advantage.
Her second serve brings an error for deuce for the two players, and the two battle it out for the vital next game.
Jokic fails to send back a serve from Raducanu and she is now on the cusp of victory.
Raducanu* 6-2 3-1 Jovic
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In the fourth game, Raducanu volleys back, deftly, drop-shotting an early return.
She rushes to the net to move 30-15 ahead with the American serving, and an unforced error gives Jovic a 30-30 chance.
Jovic’s wild return is out as she goes 40-30 behind and the American trails again.
A second serve gives Raducanu the chance to batter through to break once more.
Raducanu 6-2 2-1 Jovic*
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Raducanu fails to hold on as Jovic breaks her to love.
The British player needs to hold onto a break to keep her position intact.
Raducanu* 6-2 2-0 Jovic
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Raducanu breaks to go ahead in the second set as she dominates in the early runnings.
Second Set: Raducanu 6-2 1-0 Jovic*
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Raducanu holds early in the first set.
She looks confident after weeks of struggling with her form.
Raducanu* 6-2 Jovic
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Raducanu takes the first set. The home favourite is cheered on as she takes an early advantage.
Given her fitness problems, another straight forward set would be good for her.
Raducanu 5-2 Jovic*
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Raducanu is rising to the occasion so far. No sign of obvious fatigue and if she wins tonight, she faces three matches in around 30 hours.
Raducanu* 4-1 Jovic
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Jovic goes long with a backhand from the baseline. Raducanu, forced to scramble, gets to 30-0 before seeing a forehand hit the net. Jovic then sprays a return into the tramlines but then plays a lovely backhand dropshot to get to 40-30, but Raducanu is able to hold and consolidate the break.
Raducanu 3-1 Jovic*
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Jovic nets a forehand to fall 0-15 behind. The American then gets the better of Raducanu after an extended baseline exchange to level up at 15-15. Jovic then goes long on the backhand wing to give Raducanu a look in at 15-30.
The Briton brings up two break points as Jovic nets a backhand. The first one passes her by as does the second after netting a return.
Raducanu then goes long with a slice backhand to give Jovic advantage. The Briton gets back to deuce after a strong return. A quality backhand winner down the line brings up another break point for Raducanu... and the Briton breaks first. Solid start!
Raducanu* 2-1 Jovic
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Intent is there from Jovic to go after the Raducanu serve and the Briton is having to dig in but survives again to hold serve.
Raducanu 1-1 Jovic*
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First signs from Jovic of the high quality she possesses. She has risen quickly up the rankings and will be one to watch at Wimbledon. She holds to 15 confidently.
Raducanu has come out with different strapping from the one she had on for two games after taking a nasty-looking slip onto the turf in her quarter-final earlier today.
It looks like a large bandage almost on the inside of her left thigh.
First Set: Emma Raducanu* 1-0 Iva Jovic (*denotes server)
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Ideal start for Raducanu as she holds to 15 and shows little sign of restriction in her movement which is good news.
It is a lot windier than it was earlier so both players will need to adapt to the conditions.
Here we go!
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Around three hours after finishing her quarter-final match, Raducanu is back on court. She has a little strapping on her left thigh. That should be more comfortable than what she had earlier.
Disappointment for Boulter
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British number three Katie Boulter fell to a 6-1, 6-3 semi-final defeat to Croatian Donna Vekic.
Boulter secured the biggest victory of her career by ranking when she knocked out the tournament’s top seed, world No 2 Elena Rybakina, on Friday evening.
But she could not recreate the same magic earlier today, outplayed from start to finish by lucky loser Vekic, who booked her spot in the final in one hour and six minutes.
Semi-final time at Queen’s!
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Hello again. After a little break, Raducanu is back again and this time she is aiming to reach the final.
In a few moments she will take to the court to play American teen Iva Jovic. This is after Raducanu claimed a 6-3, 7-5 win against Kamilla Rakhimova to reach her second semi-final of the year.
Raducanu was a set and 3-1 up when she slipped on the court just beyond the baseline, and only got to her feet as the umpire made her way out of the chair.
It seemed to affect her movement for the rest of the game and she did not move towards a ball, before going off court for a medical timeout as soon as the game was over and Rakhimova had held.
After returning to court with heavy strapping, which she removed after just two games, Raducanu was forced to dig deep and at the second time of asking, she served out the match.
That’s all for now!
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This is the end of our coverage, but do not be alarmed; we will be back with coverage of Raducanu’s semi-final later this afternoon.
Raducanu reacts
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“It was really tricky. Kamilla played some incredible tennis – she got to a lot of balls and made it very difficult.
“It was a match of ups and downs and I was so grateful for the support that I had in some really tough moments closing out that second.
“I think it’s a mix of adrenaline but it was tough to take that fall. I feel like I was in a pretty good spot in the match, but on grass these things can happen.
“I found it pretty tough to regroup but I’m really proud of how I did that in the end, with the help of you guys.”
Will Raducanu play her semi-final?
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Despite the injury worry, Raducanu does appear ready to play again later against American Iva Jovic.
Raducanu writes on the nearby camera: ‘Saturday night @ Queen’s’.
Raducanu* 6-3, 7-5 Rakhimova
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Relief for Raducanu as Rakhimova’s forehand down the line just lands in the tramlines, 15-0. Emphatic overhead smash winner from Raducanu moves her to 30-15.
Beautifully played point by Raducanu, she earns the short ball but inexplicably nets a forehand, 30-30. Rakhimova forehand return long, match point Raducanu.
85mph Raducanu second serve and Rakhimova swats it away down the line for a winner, deuce. Rakhimova forehand into the net, second match point for Raducanu.
Raducanu is dragged left and right but gets a look at a forehand pass. However, Rakhimova covers the net well and puts away the volley. Back to deuce.
Nice play by Raducanu to drag Rakhimova into the net and pass her with a backhand, third match point.
Raducanu volley winner. GAME SET MATCH RADUCANU.
Raducanu 6-3, 6-5 Rakhimova*
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An opening for Raducanu after Rakhimova nets a backhand, 15-30. Gutsy second serve by Rakhimova catches out Raducanu. So much tension in this match right now.
Big forehand down the line by Raducanu to change the direction of the rally and it is too much for Rakhimova, who nets. Break point Raducanu...
Raducanu forehand return winner flies past Rakhimova, falls to the ground. Raducanu breaks and will serve for the match again.
Raducanu* 6-3, 5-5 Rakhimova
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Raducanu is being forced to hang on and dig deep while trusting that her body won’t let her down again. A miscued forehand makes it 15-30.
Coach Richardson calls on her to ‘be brave’. But Rakhimova gets a huge slice of luck when her return clips the net cord and drops short on Raducanu’s side of the net before the Briton can get there.
Raducanu forehand into the net and Rakhimova breaks back.
Raducanu 6-3, 5-4 Rakhimova*
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Rakhimova is definitely trying to send a message to Raducanu. Every time she wins a point there is a prolonged ‘come on’ from the Uzbek.
But Raducanu is unperturbed and earns a break point at 30-40. Rakhimova forehand into the net and Raducanu breaks.
She will serve for the match next.
Raducanu* 6-3, 4-4 Rakhimova
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During the changeover, Raducanu opted to remove the strapping on her thigh. Let’s see if that helps her.
A much-needed hold for Raducanu as she gets through without dropping a point.
Raducanu 6-3, 3-4 Rakhimova*
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Rakhimova has come alive now and must sense a big opportunity opening up for her. Raducanu seems restricted and cautious with her footwork.
That allows Rakhimova to hold serve to love and take the lead in the set. Big game coming up for Raducanu.
Raducanu* 6-3, 3-3 Rakhimova
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Raducanu has returned with significant strapping on her left upper thigh, but goes 0-30 down on her service game. She doesn’t seem to be moving with too much restriction but 0-30 becomes 0-40 after she sends a forehand wide.
A booming forehand winner gets her back to 30-40, which then becomes deuce after Rakhimova sends a sliced backhand winner long. A double fault gives Rakhimova the break point again... Rakhimova hustles in a decent really but the game is level again because Raducanu sent a forehand wide. It’s a break and we are back on serve in the second set.
She looks a bit pained at the end of the game, if not a little nauseated.
Concern for Raducanu
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The fact that Raducanu has called a medical time out after that slip is more concerning than it looked initially.
She did seem to be in some pain and it took her a while to get to her feet, before not even moving towards the final ball of the game.
Now the physio is out on court and it remains to be seen how this will affect her, as she follows the physio off the court.
Raducanu will be assessed by a tournament physio
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We have a brief pause. And she will leave the court for further assessment...
Raducanu 6-3, 3-2 Rakhimova*
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Trouble for Raducanu? She returns serve but then appears to have pulled a muscle when attempting to play her next shot.
Possible slight groin pull but she looks OK to continue. She does, however, lose the game to love. A rare one of those for Rakhimova, whose serving has been her largest problem in the game. Raducanu did seem to be moving a little gingerly after that slip.
Raducanu* 6-3, 3-1 Rakhimova
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Raducanu continues her march with another simple service game...
Raducanu 6-3, 2-1 Rakhimova*
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Rakhimova gets a set on the board after a pretty torrid patch in this match. A shorter duration match would certainly suit Raducanu, but she still has to wrap this one up. Big changes can happen quickly in matches like this, nothing is a formality.
Raducanu* 6-3, 2-0 Rakhimova
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Rakhimova provided some resistance in the first set but is struggling to do that now. A comfortable hold for Raducanu.
Raducanu 6-3, 1-0 Rakhimova*
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Rakhimova’s serving problems continue as Raducanu seals the first break of the first set via a double fault.
‘Red Arrows worked a treat’
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The Red Arrows not only delighted the crowd but also seemed to loosen up Raducanu, who played with more freedom after the disruption and only lost one more game, taking the first set 6-3.
The speed of this match is of particular importance, as if she wins, she will play again later today, so she will want to get this not just done, but done quickly.
First set Raducanu, 6-3!
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A service game to love and Raducanu secures the first set and deservedly so. The set was not without its concerns, but 15 unforced errors from her opponent to 10 from her is where the set went, really. And 36 per cent to 74 per cent of first serves in is going to be difficult to win from.
Raducanu 5-3 Rakhimova*
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Better from Rakhimova as she fights back from 0-30 down to 40-30 ahead, courtesy of a long rally. She then closes out the game with a thumped forehand winner. Still work for Raducanu to do in this set.
Raducanu* 5-2 Rakhimova
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A very simple service game puts Raducanu on the brink of a first-set victory. Since those flyovers Rakhimova has gone missing and Raducanu has flourished with some hard hitting.
Raducanu 4-2 Rakhimova*
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Rakhimova not looking anywhere near as comfortable now; Raducanu more aggressive as she races into a 0-40 lead. That is then converted to another break with a forehand winner. Powerful. Better. Settled.
Raducanu* 3-2 Rakhimova
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Some disruption in this game for various flyovers, presumably for Trooping the Colour. A lengthy pause at 40-0 but is it not fair to say that they should just get on with it? “Are there more?” Raducanu asks and is told, “there is definitely going to be the Red Arrows at some point”.
Raducanu is serving for the game at 40-0 and then stops again for another flyover. Still we wait... finally we get the Red Arrows and hopefully play will now resume... eventually she serves, the return is out.
Not quite sure how long that took, but a loooong time between points.
Raducanu 2-2 Rakhimova*
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It’s fair to say that Rakhimova is growing into this game now, with some impressive tennis that is forcing Raducanu onto the back foot. A fairly straightforward service game levels the first set 2-2.
Raducanu* 2-1 Rakhimova
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A shaky service game from the home favourite means we are back on service as Raducanu is broken back immediately. Better from Rakhimova, though.
Raducanu 2-0 Rakhimova*
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Not the best serving display from Rakhimova either, in fairness, but a handy lob from her gets her back to 15-30. That then becomes deuce after errors from both players. A double fault (another one...) from the Uzbek gives Raducanu an early break point, which she fails to take. She gets another and seizes it! Unforced errors from her opponent gave her the chance, though.
There have been issues on the serve for both players so far in this match, both from the same end.
Whether the wind or sight or something else, but Raducanu double-faulted three times and for Rakhimova it has been far from smooth sailing on that front either.
Raducanu* 1-0 Rakhimova
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Raducanu, serving first, begins with a clean ace, but then follows that up with a double fault... and then another... and then another. Deary me.
Two break points for Rakhimova, then, but Raducanu saves the first of those. Two overhit returns from the Ubzek brings it to deuce in a scrappy, poor-quality opening game. A rally breaks out and then another overhit forehand gives Raducanu the opening game.
Nerves settled now?
The players are out on court...
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It is a sunny day in London, though a little breezy. Only a tad, mind you.
Raducanu’s ranking progression
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A good year last year. Not so good a year this year.
Raducanu’s 2026 record so far
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Not a great deal to shout about, really, so far. The final in Cluj the standout, really.
Can Raducanu make it to the semi-finals?
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Welcome to our coverage of Emma Raducanu’s Queen’s quarter-final match against Kamilla Rakhimova. After missing much of the season through illness Raducanu, the British No 1, finds herself in the position of potentially having to play three matches today and tomorrow.
That is, of course, if she makes it through the quarter-final and then semi-final. It could mean an all-British clash for the trophy, if Raducanu wins her two matches and Katie Boulter can overcome Donna Vekic in her semi-final.
Raducanu, who has lost her first two matches since returning from a lengthy break owing to a post-viral illness, dispatched Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-2 in a performance that shows promise heading into Wimbledon in a matter of weeks.
“It feels incredible to come out and play how I did today against Sorana. Earlier in the year she beat me, but I’m really glad I could get her back at home,” Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, said.
“I think I played at a really high level, I knew I had to go out and play aggressively and dictate.
“As soon as I took my foot off the gas a little bit, she was coming back.”
Raducanu, who was ranked as high as 23rd three months ago, Raducanu has now slipped outside of the top 40 and is ranked 42nd in the world. Her opponent yesterday was ranked 18th but today’s is a little lowlier: Rakhimova, from Uzbekistan, is ranked 78th and has never been ranked higher than 60th.
That does not mean Raducanu’s victory is a formality, of course...