Emma Raducanu made a remarkable return to the Andy Murray Arena for her second match in just five hours, despite concerns regarding her physical condition after a slip on the slick grass that left her with a sore left thigh. However, those worries quickly faded as she opened the match with a series of impressive winners, showcasing her intent.
In a dazzling performance, Raducanu dominated the 18-year-old Iva Jovic, winning decisively 6-2, 6-2, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, securing her spot in the final.
“It means everything to be making the final here and to be making it at home in London,” Raducanu expressed. “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: her first at the 2021 US Open and her second this year at a WTA 250 event in Cluj, where she faced a heavy defeat against Sorana Cirstea. Now, with victories over world No 18 Cirstea and No 19 Jovic in consecutive days at a 500 Event, she has triumphed over two top-20 players in a single tournament for the third time, and she remains yet to drop a set.
The quality of her performance has been even more impressive than the victories themselves. After a challenging defeat in Melbourne earlier this year, Raducanu stated her goal was to “hit the ball to the corners and hard” She executed this strategy with relentless precision throughout the match, striking the ball early and with authority, confidently approaching the net. Her level of play has not been matched since her US Open victory nearly five years ago.
“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,” she smiled.
Given her recent struggles, Raducanu’s performances have been particularly noteworthy. With six losses in her last seven matches and her last victory occurring in March, her year has been marred by physical setbacks. Her previous outing at the French Open was also challenging, where she struggled before managing to salvage some respectability in the score. If any surface could rejuvenate her game, it was always going to be grass.
The home support undoubtedly boosts Raducanu’s confidence, especially amidst the doubts and tension that often accompany her. The grass surface complements her style; she moves with agility and benefits from the lower bounce and quicker conditions, which enhance her shots. More than the technical advantages, her confidence on grass is palpable.
This match featured two players with similar playing styles. Both Raducanu and Jovic are aggressive competitors who thrive on early ball striking and possess solid two-handed backhands. Their smooth techniques can struggle against stronger opponents, making this match a battle of who could impose their play consistently.
Raducanu showcased her superiority over one of the brightest young talents in the sport. She was eager to seize control from the outset, delivering a powerful performance and changing directions expertly. Her backhand stood out, as she quickly established a 4-1 lead, continuing her offensive onslaught even after Jovic took a medical timeout during the first set.
Despite facing moments that could have disrupted her momentum, such as losing her serve at 2-0 or being faced with four break points at 3-1 and 4-2, Raducanu responded impeccably. Each time she encountered pressure, she relied on a precise first serve or confidently stepped inside the baseline to dominate the rallies.
Raducanu’s pursuit of a second title will see her face Donna Vekic, a seasoned Croatian player ranked No 76 after entering the tournament as a lucky loser. Vekic is known for her grass court prowess and reached a career-high ranking of No 17 last year, also having made it to the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2024.
Earlier that day, Raducanu had started her quarter-final match against Kamilla Rakhimova in commanding fashion, leading 6-3, 3-1, before slipping on the grass and injuring her thigh. As she struggled with pain and her lead began to slip away, her victory appeared uncertain. Nevertheless, she displayed remarkable resilience, ultimately securing a 6-3, 7-5 win to advance to the semi-finals.
“I think it’s amazing what adrenaline and support can do, and the mind as well,” Raducanu reflected on her 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 after a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory over British No 3 Katie Boulter, who had little energy left following her dramatic three-set win over world No 2 Elena Rybakina, marking the biggest victory of her career.
