Emma Raducanu shows grass court mojo at Wimbledon warmup, advancing to HSBC final

Emma Raducanu has played little tennis this year. She lost to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells on March 8 and missed the rest of the spring. Raducanu next played on May 19 at Strasbourg but was out in the first round there and at the French Open.

She was dealing with the aftereffects of a virus that affected her ability to train. Raducanu now appears to be fully recovered and is flexing her grass court muscles at the HSBC Championships.

She has not won four consecutive matches at a tournament since the Winners Open WTA 250 tournament in Romania in early February. At the HSBC Championships, she is yet to drop a set in her four wins.

MORE: 3 players who could introduce Roger Federer for International Tennis Hall of Fame induction

Raducanu defeated in form players

Raducanu’s wins are more impressive because they came in straight sets against in form players who have been successful this year on the WTA Tour, most notably Sorana Cirstea and Iva Jovic.

Everyone likes to talk about the 2021 US Open champion’s struggles, but fans are happy to see her great grass court run.

MORE: Wimbledon singles main draw entry lists are missing big names

It is too early to talk about her Wimbledon chances, but it is never too soon to talk about how much British fans would love a British player to win the home slam. With Soraya Kartel out with injury, Raducanu and Katie Boulter are the country’s best WTA hopes.

No matter what else she does in her career, Raducanu will always be a Grand Slam champion. Her name was mentioned recently in comparison to Maja Chwalinska‘s magical run from qualifiers to the French Open finals. She remains the only player to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier.

First things first, Raducanu will play Donna Vekic, seeking her second career WTA title, in the HSBC Championships final on Sunday.