Emma Raducanu is into the quarter-finals at Queen’s, having beaten Sorana Cirstea in impressive fashion earlier today.
It marked the first of two matches that the Brit will have to play today, set to face Kamilla Rakhimova for a spot in the semi-finals.
Alas, regardless of what is to come, she can remain supremely proud of what was a rock-solid win over a top-level opponent.
From the very first ball, Emma Raducanu smothered Cirstea, and despite a stumble or two, remained on top throughout.
She has now spoken to the Queen’s crowd, making one request as she now prepares to play again.
Emma Raducanu speaks after playing her first of two matches in one day
Raducanu began by rating her level against Cirstea.
She admitted: “Yeah, I mean, it feels incredible to have come out and played how I did today against Sorana.
What would be a good grass-court season for Emma Raducanu?
Finally back in the win column!
“She’s been a player who this year has been in incredible form, had some amazing wins, reached a really high ranking, and earlier on in the year she beat me, but I’m really glad that I could kind of get her back at home as well.”
Then, touching on what was a topsy-turvy set, she added: “I think I played a really high level; I knew that I had to playing Sorana. I had to go out there and play aggressively and, you know, dictate because otherwise if I didn’t, then she would do that, and as soon as I kind of took my foot off the gas a little bit, I didn’t execute in the first set, she was coming back.
“But yeah, I came straight from the get-go; I actually put a really good game on the forehand, and just really pleased that I’m playing another match here today, I think, later, so hopefully you guys can stick around.”
Expanding on playing those two matches in a day whilst also referencing yesterday’s rain delay, Raducanu then thanked the fans before asking them to stick with her: “Yeah, it means so much, everyone who stuck around yesterday.
“I mean, I know I have some friends here doing that but for the whole crowd to be doing that, and you know, it’s a real privilege and I really wanted to show some good tennis to make up for yesterday’s rain delay.
“So thanks so much for sticking around.”
This comes the day after it was revealed that both Raducanu and Jack Draper have signed up for an event for straight after Wimbledon.
Emma Raducanu’s big opportunity at Queen’s
Whilst Raducanu still has to beat Rakhimova, it’s expected that, in this kind of form, she will be more than capable of securing a result should they face later today.
Then, she would be just two wins away from potential glory, winning that elusive second career title after that US Open in 2021.
Do you think Emma Raducanu has made a good decision with this hire?
Could you see her winning another Grand Slam title alongside Andrew Richardson?
The fact that it remains her only ever title is both an incredible feat and an unfortunate record; regardless, it’s one she’ll want to change.
Whilst both Iva Jovic and Amanda Anisimova represent tough opponents, and Elena Rybakina is the most likely to be her opponent in the final, all of these superstars have shown weakness over the last week and throughout the year.
Raducanu may not have a clear path to the title, but she is certainly in good enough form to believe that it is possible.
