British Star Regains Top Spot with Impressive Win

Emma Raducanu has made a triumphant return to the top of British women’s tennis, sweeping aside Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 6-4, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals at Queen’s. The 22-year-old Briton will regain her place as British number one for the first time in two years, a position she last held after winning the US Open in 2021.

Raducanu’s impressive victory came on a packed Andy Murray Arena, where she dominated the world number 41 Sramkova. The Briton was largely untroubled throughout the match, winning the first set after a wobble in which she lost four consecutive games. Raducanu regained her composure to seal the set, and then dictated the points in the second set, earning a triple break of serve to secure a convincing win.

Raducanu’s victory was made all the more impressive by her relaxed and largely in-control performance. She has quickly made the west London tournament feel like home, taking part in some doubles action alongside compatriot Katie Boulter for the first time this week. Raducanu has spoken about how she is feeling free to express herself on court, and this has made her more creative. She has been boosted by the return of her former coach Nick Cavaday to her team, and has said she is feeling more settled as a result.

Raducanu’s ability to perform under pressure was on full display as she faced a stern challenge from Sramkova in the first set. Down 4-0, Raducanu was forced to dig deep and find a way to win the set. She eventually did, serving out the set at 6-4 after a grueling 45-minute battle. The second set was a different story, as Raducanu dominated from the start, breaking Sramkova’s serve three times to seal the win.

Raducanu’s victory has sent shockwaves through the British tennis community, as she is now set to face Chinese top seed Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals. However, her focus is already on the next challenge, as she prepares to take on Boulter in the battle for the top spot in British women’s tennis.

“I am really pleased to get through that,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview. “I don’t think it was my cleanest performance but I am really pleased to push through in the tight moments. I really appreciate the support in that spell when she was coming back.”

Boulter, who was trying to reach a seventh quarter-final on grass, was defeated by Diana Shnaider 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Despite the loss, Boulter is looking forward to the challenge of chasing Raducanu for the top spot in British women’s tennis.

“It’s going to be fun for me to chase her now, and I think she’s been doing that for a while,” Boulter said. “Now it’s kind of my turn. I’m very happy for her to be British number one.”