Emma Raducanu advanced to the final of the Queen's Club Championships on Sunday after securing two wins in a single day, setting up a title clash against Croatian Donna Vekic. The British No. 1, 23, will aim to claim her first trophy since her breakthrough victory at the 2021 US Open.

Raducanu’s determination was on full display as she first overcame Kamilla Rakhimova in a hard-fought quarterfinal, prevailing 6-3, 7-5 in just under two hours. The match was briefly interrupted by a low-flying Red Arrows display overhead, and Raducanu experienced a scare when she slipped and fell behind the baseline, necessitating a medical timeout to treat her left thigh. Despite the injury concern, she returned to the court and closed out the win.

Later in the day, Raducanu faced Iva Jovic, ranked 19th globally, in the semifinals. The 18-year-old Jovic had earned her spot in the last four by defeating Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in a three-set quarterfinal the previous day. However, Jovic struggled physically during her match with Raducanu, requiring a medical timeout for an ankle issue early in the contest.

Raducanu dominated the semifinal, winning convincingly 6-2, 6-2 in 89 minutes under sunny West London skies. She quickly established control, breaking Jovic’s serve multiple times and maintaining consistent pressure. Jovic, who showed promise earlier in the tournament, was unable to mount a sustained challenge.

Discussing her recent improvements, Raducanu acknowledged the positive impact of reuniting with her former coach Andrew Richardson. She remarked that while some see her current form as a return to her previous self, she views it as an evolution shaped by her experiences: “I wouldn’t say it’s the old Emma, it’s the new Emma because you take all the lessons and experiences, all the ups and downs,” she said. “I’m back and better.”

Raducanu’s runner-up finish at Queen’s Club last year marked her second career final appearance. With the prospect of a title this week, she will face Vekic, who has steadily climbed the rankings. The final comes just days ahead of England’s highly anticipated clash against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League in Texas, adding an intriguing national parallel to Raducanu’s matchup against the Croatian competitor.

Raducanu’s physical resilience and tactical acumen have been highlighted throughout the tournament, countering prior critiques about her stamina. By overcoming two challenging matches on the same day, she demonstrated both mental fortitude and recovery ability, positioning herself well for what would be a significant title win on home soil.