The British No 1 recovered from a frightening fall and a second-set wobble to win 6-3, 7-5, setting up a same-day showdown with American teenager Iva Jovic

Emma Raducanu overcame an alarming injury scare and a determined fightback from Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the semi-finals of the Queen’s Club Championships for the first time.

The British No 1 completed a 6-3, 7-5 victory on Saturday after slipping on the grass early in the second set and requiring treatment to her left thigh. Although the fall interrupted a performance that had appeared firmly under control, Raducanu recovered her composure to close out the match in one hour and 54 minutes.

She will now face 18-year-old American Iva Jovic later in the day, with rain delays earlier in the tournament forcing competitors into a demanding compressed schedule.

For Raducanu, the victory represented another important step in a promising grass-court campaign. It also demonstrated the resilience that has too often been tested by physical setbacks since her remarkable US Open triumph in 2021.

In Control Before the Fall

Raducanu began confidently in front of a strongly supportive home crowd.

She served accurately, struck the ball early and repeatedly pressured Rakhimova with deep returns. The Uzbek player struggled to establish herself during the opening set as Raducanu controlled the baseline exchanges and moved efficiently across the court.

Raducanu secured the decisive break before completing the first set 6-3.

Her momentum continued into the second. She moved ahead 3-1 and appeared to be closing rapidly on a straightforward victory when the complexion of the match suddenly changed.

While attempting to alter direction on the grass, Raducanu lost her footing and fell heavily. She immediately reached for her left thigh and remained on the court in visible discomfort.

The sight created immediate concern among spectators, particularly given her difficult injury history and the proximity of Wimbledon.

After receiving medical treatment, she returned with her thigh strapped. Her movement initially appeared more cautious, and the rhythm that had carried her into a commanding position began to disappear.

Rakhimova Seizes Her Opportunity

Rakhimova responded to Raducanu’s physical uncertainty by becoming more aggressive.

The world No 75 began extending rallies, directing the ball into the corners and testing whether the Briton could still move freely. Raducanu’s first-serve percentage dropped, errors increased and her opponent recovered the break.

What had appeared likely to become a comfortable straight-sets win developed into a tense contest.

Rakhimova moved ahead late in the set and served at 5-4 with an opportunity to force a decider. Raducanu, however, refused to allow the match to slip away.

She increased the depth of her returns and found the courage to attack despite the strapping on her leg. Under pressure, Rakhimova was unable to serve out the set.

Raducanu broke back, held serve and then applied further pressure in the final game. When Rakhimova’s resistance finally ended, the British player reacted with a mixture of relief and satisfaction.

She had won the final three games of the match to secure the set 7-5.

A Victory Built on Resilience

The statistics reflected both the strength of Raducanu’s opening performance and the instability that followed her fall.

She won almost 80 per cent of the points behind her first serve, an important advantage on a grass surface that rewards players who can take early control of rallies.

Her second serve was less reliable, however, and she committed five double faults. Rakhimova created eight break-point opportunities, converting three of them.

Raducanu’s greatest achievement was therefore not technical perfection but her ability to respond when the match became uncomfortable.

She had to manage pain, uncertainty and an opponent who suddenly believed she could turn the contest around. Rather than allowing the injury scare to dominate her thoughts, Raducanu simplified her game and concentrated on winning the most important points.

The result takes her into only the fifth tour-level semi-final of her career since winning the US Open and her second at WTA 500 level or higher.

Fitness Questions Before the Semi-Final

Raducanu now faces a rapid recovery before returning to the court against Jovic.

The quarter-final had originally been scheduled for Friday but was postponed after poor weather and fading light disrupted the programme. That means Raducanu must potentially play two physically demanding matches within the same day.

The condition of her left thigh will consequently be monitored closely.

Although she completed the match without another visible incident, the strapping and temporary reduction in movement raised questions about whether she will be able to compete at full intensity against Jovic.

Any physical concern is particularly significant with Wimbledon approaching. Raducanu and her team will need to balance the opportunity to reach a Queen’s final against the risk of aggravating the problem before the year’s most important British tournament.

Her recent career has frequently been interrupted by injuries and illness. She returned to Queen’s seeking rhythm and confidence after a difficult period that included a prolonged absence and early defeats following her comeback.

Until the fall, her movement had appeared sharp throughout the tournament.

Jovic Presents a Formidable Test

Jovic reached the semi-finals by defeating second seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

The victory was the American teenager’s first against an opponent ranked inside the world’s top five and confirmed her reputation as one of the most promising young players on the tour.

Jovic produced a disciplined performance, committing only 15 unforced errors compared with Anisimova’s 39. Her defensive ability, consistency and willingness to redirect pace could make her especially difficult for a physically restricted Raducanu.

The American is already ranked inside the world’s top 20 and arrived at Queen’s after a rapid rise through the rankings. Her progress has included a WTA title and a Grand Slam quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open.

Raducanu will need to serve well and keep points relatively short if her movement remains affected.

The match also brings together two players whose early careers have attracted enormous attention. Raducanu became a Grand Slam champion as a teenager, while Jovic is now attempting to establish herself among the leading players of a new generation.

British Hopes Flourish at Queen’s

Raducanu’s progress forms part of an exceptional tournament for British women’s tennis.

Katie Boulter also reached the semi-finals after defeating world No 2 Elena Rybakina in three sets, the biggest victory of Boulter’s career by ranking.

Boulter was scheduled to face Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the other semi-final, leaving open the possibility of an all-British championship match.

For the home crowd, the prospect of Raducanu and Boulter contesting the final would represent a remarkable conclusion to a tournament already shaped by rain, scheduling difficulties and major upsets.

Raducanu’s run has been particularly encouraging because of the authority she displayed in her earlier matches.

She opened the tournament with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Anna Blinkova, her first tour-level win since March. She then defeated world No 18 Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-2, recording her first victory over a top-20 opponent in more than a year.

Those performances suggested that the grass surface, with its quicker points and rewards for aggressive returning, may again allow her best qualities to emerge.

A Test Passed, Another Ahead

The quarter-final victory will be remembered less for its opening set than for what happened after Raducanu fell.

Physical setbacks have repeatedly interrupted her attempts to build consistency. On this occasion, she found a way to continue and win.

That does not eliminate concern about her fitness. The short recovery period before facing Jovic presents a severe challenge, and Wimbledon remains close enough to influence every decision.

Yet the immediate result is significant.

Raducanu has reached her first Queen’s Club semi-final, defeated three opponents without dropping a set and responded successfully to adversity in front of a home crowd.

Her movement may determine how far she can go next. Her resolve, however, has already survived its most difficult examination of the week.