Raducanu reaches semi-final at Queen’s Club after defeating Rakhimova

Emma Raducanu admitted she was “in awe” after the “insane” interruption of the King’s birthday flypast briefly delayed her quarter-final victory at the HSBC Championships. The British number one will play American Iva Jovic later on Saturday after beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 7-5 at Queen’s.

Emma Raducanu battled into the Queen's semi-finals later on Saturday after the UK king’s birthday flypast briefly interrupted her 6-3, 7-5 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova. Rain had plagued the second edition of these championships in London, forcing the British number one’s quarter-final with the Uzbekistani WTA world number 78 to be postponed from Friday.

Raducanu to face Jovic later after 6-3, 7-5 win British No 1 falls in second set of quarter-final Everything seemed to be progressing perfectly for Emma Raducanu in the early stages of a day that, in the best case scenario, would require a marathon effort like no other. The British No 1 was in the middle of putting together a cool, efficient performance on a mercifully sunny day in Barons Court. She led, 6-3, 3-1. Then she slipped on the slick grass. Raducanu emerged from her fall wincing and clutching at her left thigh, clearly in pain, and as her lead evaporated, a victory began to look in serious doubt. However, Raducanu impressively dug deep and held her nerve to drag herself into the semi-finals at the Queen’s Club for the first time with a 6-3, 7-5 win over the Uzbekistani lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova. Continue reading...

Emma Raducanu overcame an injury scare to reach the semi-finals at Queen’s Club and maintain hopes of an all-British final.