Raducanu Reaches Queen’s Final to Face Vekic
Emma Raducanu will compete in the Queen’s Club final against Donna Vekic after defeating No. 6 seed Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday. According to tournament records, Raducanu is the first British woman to reach the final at the venue since Winnie Shaw in 1970.
Raducanu advanced to the championship match by winning two matches in one day. She first defeated Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets, then returned to the Andy Murray Arena to beat Jovic in 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Donna Vekic secured her spot in the final with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Katie Boulter in 66 minutes. This marks the 15th WTA final of Vekic’s career and the third for Raducanu.
Why is Emma Raducanu’s run at Queen’s Club significant?
The victory represents a turnaround for Raducanu, who had not won a match since March and held a 1-5 record since the Cluj-Napoca final in February. Her struggles were attributed to illness, form issues, and a coaching change involving Andrew Richardson.
Raducanu has won four consecutive straight-set matches this week, including her first two Top 20 wins of the season against Jovic and Sorana Cirstea. This is her first career WTA 500 final.
During her semifinal match against Rakhimova, Raducanu suffered a hard fall in the second set that required taping on her left thigh. Despite the injury, she broke at 6-5 to win the match 6-3, 7-5 in 1 hour and 54 minutes.
How did Donna Vekic reach the final?
Vekic entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing to Anna Blinkova in the final round of qualifying. Since then, she has won eight of nine sets across four matches.
In her match against Boulter, Vekic took a 3-0 lead in the first set and committed only two unforced errors during that frame. She did not face a single break point throughout the match, closing the win with a backhand pass.
Vekic has a strong history on grass, with six of her 15 career WTA finals occurring on the surface. However, she has lost each of her last three tour-level finals and is 1-4 in her last five grass-court finals.
What is at stake in the championship match?
Both athletes are seeking their first title in a significant period. Raducanu is pursuing her second career title since her 2021 US Open win, while Vekic has not won a trophy since Monterrey in 2023.
The match will be the first WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz meeting between the two players. Raducanu’s ability to maintain her current form could lead to a second title of the season, while Vekic may look to improve her 4-10 record in tour-level finals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the first British woman to reach the Queen’s Club final since 1970?
Emma Raducanu is the first British woman to reach the final since Winnie Shaw in 1970.
What was Raducanu’s record before the Queen’s Club tournament?
Raducanu had not won a match since March and was 1-5 since reaching the Cluj-Napoca final.
How did Donna Vekic enter the tournament?
Vekic entered the main draw as a lucky loser after a loss to Anna Blinkova in qualifying.
How do you think home-court advantage will influence the final at Queen’s Club?