Raducanu Beats Rakhimova in Three Sets to Reach Queen’s Club Semi-Finals

Emma Raducanu defeated Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the semi-finals of the Queen's Club Championship. Play was halted for five minutes during the fifth game of the opening set when aircraft roared overhead as part of the King's birthday celebrations. Raducanu had been leading 40-0 on her serve.

The umpire informed the crowd that the Red Arrows would fly overhead at some point. When the display team swept across the sky, Raducanu gestured towards the planes before resuming her service game and holding to love. Trouble struck in the second set when Raducanu lost her footing behind the baseline while leading 3-1.

She requested medical assistance after Rakhimova closed the gap to a single game. Raducanu returned to court with substantial strapping wrapped around her left thigh. She saved three break points before a double-fault allowed Rakhimova to level the set.

Raducanu removed the strapping when trailing 4-3, held to love, and broke to regain the advantage in the ninth game. Rakhimova saved two match points before Raducanu closed out the victory. The match had originally been scheduled for Friday evening but was postponed to Saturday due to rain.

Raducanu's semi-final appearance equals her best grass-court performance at WTA Tour level, previously achieved at Nottingham two years ago. It also matches her best run at a WTA 500 tournament, previously achieved at Washington in 2025. Raducanu was absent from competition for two and a half months earlier in the season due to post-viral illness.

She suffered an opening-round defeat at the French Open prior to this tournament. Raducanu will play Iva Jovic in the semi-final later today. Katie Boulter defeated Elena Rybakina and will play Donna Vekic in the other semi-final.