Raducanu into Queen's final as first British woman since 1970

Emma Raducanu has reached the final of the Queen's Club Championships in London, marking a significant milestone in her grass-court season ahead of Wimbledon. The British number one has been in commanding form all week, and her run to the final has reignited optimism about her prospects on home soil during the summer's marquee fortnight.

The British number one swept past sixth seed Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2 in the last four, completing the win in just over 90 minutes and extending a run in which she has yet to surrender a set all week. Raducanu was sharp from the baseline and assured on serve, giving her opponent few openings as she controlled the rallies and dictated the tempo of the contest.

Grass has often suited Raducanu's clean, flat striking, and the surface appears to have brought the best out of her game during a season in which consistency has at times proved elusive. Reaching a final on home turf, with Wimbledon on the horizon, represents an ideal confidence boost at exactly the right moment.

A historic home run

Raducanu becomes the first British woman to contest the Queen's final since Winnie Shaw in 1970, a particularly notable achievement given the women's event only returned to the famous west London venue last year after an absence of more than half a century. The tournament's relaunch as a women's event has been a significant moment for the British grass-court calendar, and a home finalist adds to its growing profile.

Her path to the final included victories over experienced opponents Sorana Cirstea and Kamilla Rakhimova, both of whom posed different challenges that Raducanu negotiated without dropping a set. Coming through such tests in straight sets points to a level of authority and composure that has not always been evident in her recent campaigns.

“This week has been incredible. It means everything making it to Sunday.”

— Emma Raducanu, after her semi-final win

The semi-final also brought disappointment for British supporters, with Katie Boulter beaten in the last four, denying the prospect of an all-British final. Nonetheless, the strength of British women's tennis on grass was on display across the draw, a promising sign ahead of the home Grand Slam.

Form to build on

• Raducanu beat Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-final
• She has not dropped a set all week
• First British woman in the Queen's final since Winnie Shaw in 1970
• Earlier wins came over Sorana Cirstea and Kamilla Rakhimova
• Katie Boulter was beaten in the other semi-final
• Raducanu will face Donna Vekic in the final

The week's results suggest a player rediscovering rhythm and belief at a pivotal point in the calendar. With ranking points and momentum both on offer, a strong showing at Queen's could carry over into Wimbledon, where expectations around a home favourite are always considerable.

Background

Raducanu rose to prominence with a remarkable Grand Slam triumph as a teenager, an achievement that brought instant fame and intense scrutiny. The years since have been marked by injuries, coaching changes and the difficulty of meeting the weight of expectation that followed her breakthrough. A consistent run on a surface that suits her game is therefore especially welcome.

The return of a women's tournament to Queen's Club has restored a piece of the sport's heritage and given British players an additional high-profile grass-court event in the build-up to Wimbledon. Raducanu's run has helped to validate that decision and to generate fresh interest in the women's grass-court swing.

What happens next

She will face Croatia's Donna Vekic in the final, the pair's first meeting on the WTA Tour, as Raducanu seeks to carry her best grass-court form into the Wimbledon fortnight. Victory would cap a memorable week and provide invaluable momentum, while even reaching the final represents a marked step forward. Whatever the outcome on Sunday, the manner of her progress will give her and her supporters genuine reason for optimism as the home Grand Slam approaches.