Emma Raducanu’s resurgence gathered further momentum on Saturday as the former US Open champion booked her place in the final of the Queen’s Club Championships, producing two impressive victories within six hours to delight a home crowd in London.
The British star overcame a demanding schedule and concerns over her fitness to secure a place in her first-ever grass-court final. After completing a delayed quarterfinal victory over Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova earlier in the day, Raducanu returned to Centre Court and delivered a dominant performance against American teenager Iva Jovic, winning 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-finals.
The victory sets up a title clash against Croatia’s Donna Vekic, who continued her own fairytale run by defeating Britain’s Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-3. Vekic entered the tournament as a lucky loser after gaining a place in the main draw following a late withdrawal, yet she has transformed that opportunity into a place in the championship match. For Raducanu, however, the story carries even greater significance. The 23-year-old is now one win away from lifting her first WTA title since her unforgettable triumph at the 2021 US Open, where she became the first qualifier in tennis history to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Saturday began with unfinished business for Raducanu after rain delays earlier in the week disrupted the tournament schedule. Her quarterfinal against Kamilla Rakhimova had resumed under unusual circumstances. During the match, play was temporarily interrupted by the noise of aircraft participating in London’s annual Trooping the Colour celebrations. More concerning for British fans was a slip suffered by Raducanu during the second set, which required a medical timeout and treatment to her left thigh.
The sight of heavy taping raised immediate concerns about her condition ahead of the semi-finals, particularly with Wimbledon just weeks away.
However, any fears regarding her movement quickly disappeared when she returned to court later in the day. Wearing a smaller protective bandage, Raducanu looked comfortable from the outset and moved freely around the baseline against Jovic.
The teenager from the United States struggled to cope with Raducanu’s aggressive shot-making and consistency. The Briton dictated rallies, controlled the pace of the match, and rarely allowed her opponent any opportunity to settle. Within just over an hour, Raducanu had completed a comprehensive straight-sets victory and secured a place in the biggest grass-court final of her career. One of the most encouraging aspects of Raducanu’s run has been the quality of opposition she has overcome.
She has reached the final without dropping a single set and has defeated multiple players ranked inside the world’s top 20 along the way. Her victory over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea earlier in the tournament was particularly notable, considering Cirstea had defeated Raducanu in the Transylvania Open final earlier this season.
Speaking after reaching the final, Raducanu expressed her delight at performing so well in front of British supporters. “It means everything be doing this here at Queen’s. The whole day has been electric,” Raducanu said. “This week has been incredible, I really enjoy playing here and that shows in my tennis. Ask any British player and they would love to lift the title here. We’ve been through some tough moments in the last few months but have been putting in the hard work and I want to thank my team for helping me get into the final.”
The comments reflected the challenges she has faced in recent years. Since her extraordinary US Open success, Raducanu has battled injuries, coaching changes, and the immense expectations that followed her historic breakthrough. Many observers have linked Raducanu’s improved performances to her recent decision to reunite with coach Andrew Richardson.
Richardson guided her during her memorable run to the US Open title in 2021, helping her navigate one of the most remarkable stories in modern tennis. Following their initial split, Raducanu worked with several different coaches but struggled to establish consistency.
The reunion appears to have brought greater stability and confidence to her game. Perhaps more importantly, Raducanu is beginning to look physically stronger. Injuries have repeatedly disrupted her progress over the last few seasons, limiting her ability to build momentum on tour. Prior to arriving at Queen’s Club, she had managed only one victory in her previous seven matches and was searching for form ahead of the grass-court season. Now, she finds herself playing some of her best tennis since her breakthrough years.
Standing between Raducanu and the title is Donna Vekic, the experienced Croatian who has enjoyed one of the most surprising runs of the tournament. Ranked world No. 76, Vekic was not originally guaranteed a place in the main draw. However, after entering as a lucky loser, she has made full use of her opportunity and has looked increasingly confident throughout the week.
Her straight-sets victory over Katie Boulter demonstrated her strong form heading into the final.
The championship match promises to be an intriguing contest between two players whose careers have taken very different paths. Vekic brings experience and momentum, while Raducanu carries the support of the home crowd and the chance to complete a remarkable comeback story.
With Wimbledon fast approaching, both players have already gained valuable confidence on grass. Yet for Raducanu, the stakes feel even greater. A victory at Queen’s Club would not only end her wait for a title but also provide the perfect boost heading into Britain’s most prestigious tennis tournament.
After years of setbacks, injuries, and questions about her future, the former US Open champion stands just one match away from a career-defining return to the winner’s circle.
