After months of frustration and uncertainty, Emma Raducanu finally had a reason to smile on the tennis court again. The former US Open champion produced one of her most convincing performances of the season to cruise into the second round of the Queen’s Club Championships, reigniting hopes of a successful grass court campaign ahead of Wimbledon.
Playing in front of a home crowd in London, the British No. 1 swept aside Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova 6-0, 6-3 in just over an hour to record her first tour level victory since March. The win marked an encouraging return to form for Raducanu, who has endured a challenging 2026 season due to injury setbacks and illness that severely limited her time on court.
The 23-year-old arrived at Queen’s following a disappointing first round exit at the French Open, where she struggled to find rhythm after returning from an extended absence. However, the transition to grass appeared to suit her perfectly as she displayed sharp movement, aggressive shot-making, and renewed confidence throughout the contest.
Raducanu dominated the opening set, winning all six games and allowing Blinkova little opportunity to settle into the match. The Brit dropped only a handful of points during the opening 20 minutes and consistently dictated rallies with her powerful baseline game. While Blinkova improved in the second set and managed to apply some pressure on Raducanu’s serve, the home favourite quickly regained control and closed out the match in straight sets.
The performance was particularly significant given Raducanu’s recent struggles with fitness. A post-viral illness had sidelined her for several weeks earlier this year, forcing her to miss valuable tournament time during the clay court season. Her victory at Queen’s was her first since Indian Wells in March and offered a timely confidence boost ahead of the most important stretch of the grass court calendar.
Another positive development has been her reunion with coach Andrew Richardson, the man who guided her to her historic US Open triumph in 2021. The partnership was rekindled before the grass court season, and early signs suggest the move could help Raducanu rediscover the aggressive style that made her one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu said: “The way I was moving, the way I was expressing, just the whole package, not necessarily the tennis, just how I was acting on the court.”
The British star was particularly pleased with her overall attitude and energy during the match rather than focusing solely on the result. “I really enjoyed it and I think that’s something that I want to take forward in all my matches and really embrace this grass-court season.” Her comments highlighted the importance of confidence and freedom in her game after several months spent battling physical setbacks and inconsistent results.
The victory also comes at an important time for British tennis. Queen’s Club has returned to the women’s calendar and has attracted a strong field featuring top international players. Former world No. 1 Serena Williams’ return in doubles generated significant attention during the opening days of the tournament, further elevating the profile of the event.
Next up for Raducanu is a challenging second round clash against Romanian seventh seed Sorana Cirstea, who advanced after defeating Australia’s Maddison Inglis in three sets. The encounter promises to be a stern test of Raducanu’s progress and could provide a clearer indication of her readiness for Wimbledon, which begins later this month.
For now, though, the focus remains on a much-needed victory. After months spent working her way back from injury and illness, Raducanu’s commanding display at Queen’s offered a reminder of the talent that captured the tennis world’s attention five years ago. With the grass court season now underway, the British star will hope this performance serves as the foundation for a deeper run in London and a successful return to form on her favourite surface.
