Emma Raducanu overcame an injury scare to reach the semi-finals at Queen’s Club and maintain hopes of an all-British final.
Raducanu claimed a 6-3, 7-5 win against Kamilla Rakhimova to reach her second semi-final of the year and will take on Iva Jovic on Saturday afternoon.
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.
“I think right now it’s a mix of adrenaline; it was tough to take that fall, I feel like I was in a pretty good place in the match, these things can happen on grass and it was tough to regroup and I’m really proud of how I did that,” she said when asked about the slip.
Before Raducanu’s semi-final, Katie Boulter, who saw off world No 2 Elena Rybakina on Friday evening, takes on Donna Vekic for a place in Sunday’s showpiece.
That’s all for now!
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
“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.”
WATCH: The winning moment for Raducanu
What a moment for Emma Raducanu 🥹
The Brit is through to her first grass semifinal since 2024 and will face Iva Jovic later today ✨ #HSBCChampionshipspic.twitter.com/PilKoSf0aq
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 13, 2026
Will Raducanu play her semi-final?
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
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*
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
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*
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
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*
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.
PASSION from Kamilla Rakhimova 😤#HSBCChampionshipspic.twitter.com/iiLLJ9JY1C
— wta (@WTA) June 13, 2026
Raducanu* 6-3, 3-3 Rakhimova
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
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
We have a brief pause. And she will leave the court for further assessment…
Raducanu 6-3, 3-2 Rakhimova*
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
Raducanu continues her march with another simple service game…
Raducanu 6-3, 2-1 Rakhimova*
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
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*
Rakhimova’s serving problems continue as Raducanu seals the first break of the first set via a double fault.
‘Red Arrows worked a treat’
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!
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*
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
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*
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
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.
That was worth the wait 👏
The Red Arrows hit up @QueensTennis 🙌✈️#HSBCChampionshipspic.twitter.com/oRA1FT0tSq
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 13, 2026
Raducanu 2-2 Rakhimova*
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
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*
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
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…
It is a sunny day in London, though a little breezy. Only a tad, mind you.
Raducanu’s ranking progression
A good year last year. Not so good a year this year.
Raducanu’s 2026 record so far
Not a great deal to shout about, really, so far. The final in Cluj the standout, really.
The moment Raducanu sealed victory
Emma Raducanu. Standing on business. 🕴️♀️
Nothing quite beats a win in front of a home crowd 🫶#HSBCChampionships | @EmmaRaducanupic.twitter.com/HR96vsrTtj
— HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 12, 2026
Can Raducanu make it to the semi-finals?
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…
O que achou dessa notícia? Deixe um comentário abaixo e/ou compartilhe em suas redes sociais. Assim conseguiremos informar mais pessoas sobre o que acontece no mundo do tênis!
Esta notícia foi originalmente publicada em:
Fonte original
