Emma Raducanu returned to the Andy Murray Arena for her second match within a span of five hours, facing lingering concerns over her fitness after slipping on the slick grass earlier that day and injuring her left thigh. However, any worries quickly faded as she launched into a series of stunning backhand and forehand winners, securing an early break.
What followed was a remarkable performance, as Raducanu dominated the gifted 18-year-old Iva Jovic, winning 6-2, 6-2 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, thereby advancing to the final.
“It means everything to be making the final here and to be making it at home in London,” Raducanu stated. “I love London. It’s my home. It’s where I grew up. It’s everything to me. So to be receiving the amount of support that I do here, it’s very emotional, and yeah, I’m just really proud of myself.”
This marks Raducanu’s third appearance in a tour-level final, following her triumph at the 2021 US Open and a subsequent loss to Sorana Cirstea earlier this year at the WTA 250 event in Cluj. Her victories against world No. 18 Cirstea and No. 19 Jovic in consecutive days at a 500 event illustrate her capability; she has yet to drop a single set.
The quality of her performance has been even more noteworthy than the victories themselves. Following a tough defeat in Melbourne in January, Raducanu expressed her goal of simply “hit the ball to the corners and hard” She executed this strategy with relentless determination, striking the ball early, cleanly, and with great authority, confidently approaching the net.
“The whole week I have been playing really, really good tennis and the brand of tennis that I really want to play. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily the old Emma. I think it’s the new Emma, because you take all the lessons and experience, you know, all the different ups and downs, and you take everything. You understand a lot more what’s going on and what works for you. So I’d say, yeah, I’m back and better,” Raducanu remarked with a smile.
Her recent performances are particularly impressive considering her previous struggles. Raducanu had suffered six losses in her last seven matches, with her sole victory dating back to March. The year has been fraught with physical setbacks. Her last outing, at the French Open, was less than inspiring as she faced a grim scoreline before rallying to make it more respectable. Nonetheless, the grass surface has always been where Raducanu shines.
With the frequent doubts and pressures surrounding her, Raducanu thrives in front of a passionate home audience. The grass complements her game well; her movement is significantly enhanced on this surface, where the lower bounce and faster play lend extra power to her strokes. More than just technical advantages, Raducanu exudes confidence on grass.
This match showcased two similar players, both offensive with fluid two-handed backhands, adept at taking the ball early and redirecting pace effectively. They share a smooth technique but can be overpowered by stronger opponents. The outcome hinged on who could dictate play consistently.
Raducanu clearly outperformed one of the most talented young players in the sport. She entered the match eager to seize control, executing her shots brilliantly and varying her angles. Her backhand was especially impressive as she surged to a 4-1 lead, maintaining her offensive strategy even when Jovic called for a medical timeout mid-set.
There were moments when Raducanu’s momentum could have faltered, such as when she lost her serve for the first time at 2-0 or faced four break points at 3-1 and 4-2. Yet, whenever under pressure, she responded with precise serves or demonstrated the confidence to step inside the baseline and dominate the points.
Raducanu’s pursuit of a second title will see her square off against Donna Vekic, a seasoned Croatian player. Despite being ranked No. 76 as a lucky loser, Vekic is an accomplished competitor known for her prowess on grass, having reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2024 and achieving a career-high ranking of No. 17 last year.
Earlier that day, Raducanu appeared to be in complete control against Kamilla Rakhimova, leading 6-3, 3-1, until she unexpectedly slipped on the slick grass.
After her fall, Raducanu emerged wincing and grasping her left thigh, clearly in discomfort, and as her lead diminished, concerns about her victory grew. Nevertheless, she displayed remarkable resilience, ultimately securing a 6-3, 7-5 win over the Uzbekistani lucky loser.
“I think it’s amazing what adrenaline and support can do, and the mind as well,” Raducanu reflected on her thigh injury. “So right now I still have to kind of assess, but yeah, I know we’re going to do everything we possibly can for one more tomorrow.”
Vekic advanced to the final with a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory over British No. 3 Katie Boulter, who had little energy left after her dramatic three-set win against world No. 2, Elena Rybakina, the previous day, marking the biggest victory of her career.
