Emma Raducanu is into the Washington Open semi-finals, having overcome great hardship to reach that stage.
It has been an inspired week for the 22-year-old, who will once again return as the British number one, given she has surpassed last year’s quarter-final run.
Faced with Marta Kostyuk in the opening round, she swept aside the fourth seed before then beating Naomi Osaka comfortably in a match that shocked many.
Maria Sakkari was her latest victim, as Emma Raducanu came from 5-2 down in the second set to win 6-4, 7-5.
She has showcased every trait needed to return to the apex of the sport this week, from strong serving, rock-solid returning, dictating the play and her unflinching mentality too.
It is the latter that was clearly on show yesterday, both exhibited by her comeback and how she said she felt heading into the clash.
Emma Raducanu rates Maria Sakkari’s level after Washington Open win
Speaking to reporters, Raducanu sought to provide her assessment of Sakkari’s level when asked about her opponent.
However, they also were keen to know whether a strong head-to-head impacts the mindset heading into a match, given she boasted a 3-0 win/loss record beforehand, now extended to 4-0.
Raducanu admitted: “Yeah, today I think she actually played a really good match. I think her level has been really high in the first two rounds and also today.
“I think when you have such a good record against someone, I don’t know, you feel like every time in your head it’s like, hey, I have done well in the past, but I want to do well now against her.
“As an athlete, you’re never really satisfied. Even if you’re 3-Love up, you’re like, this is the one that matters, because the ones in the past have gone. But at the same time, I know how it feels if you have a losing record against someone, then it is very difficult to kind of turn that around.
“I think certain matchups, it’s a game of matchups, and certain ones just suit others better, but I think with her level today, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to win. I thought she was playing really well from the start to the finish, so it didn’t seem like it affected her too much.”
After her win over Osaka, Raducanu rated her form from the last few months, and was very open in her assessment.
Emma Raducanu forced to retire from Washington Open doubles
Despite claiming a hard-fought win, there have been fears over Raducanu’s fitness in the aftermath of her quarter-final win at the Washington Open.
After all, she did admit to having a few moments where the heat got to her during that match, and revealed her plans to speak to the doctors.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| Semi-final | Anna Kalinskaya | TBC |
| Quarter-final | Maria Sakkari | 6-4, 7-5 |
| Round of 16 | Naomi Osaka | 6-4, 6-2 |
| Round of 32 | Marta Kostyuk | 7-6 (4), 6-4 |
That would therefore explain why she was forced to retire from her doubles match with Elena Rybakina, with the two having stunned many to reach the semi-finals.
Admittedly, they were facing an elite team in Zhang Shuai and Taylor Townsend, but it is still a shame.
Alas, her health must come first, and hopefully it will provide her with enough recovery time to return fully fit and ready to challenge Anna Kalinskaya for a spot in the final.
