Emma Raducanu overcomes 'pretty tough' injury scare to reach Queen’s semi-finals with straight-sets victory over Kamilla Rakhimova
Updated 14/06/2026 at 19:10 GMT+1
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Emma Raducanu beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3 7-5 to set up a Queen’s semi-final against American teenager Iva Jovic - after overcoming a fall during a "tricky" game.
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Raducanu had the better of a testing first set overcoming both punishing rallies and a four-minute interruption as the Royal flypast for the King’s Trooping the Colour roared overhead.
The second set was trickier than the scoreline suggests. Raducanu took a medical time-out after slipping in the fifth game, returning with heavy strapping on her thigh.
The 2021 US Open champion then dropped serve twice before rallying to close out the match.
"It was really tricky," Raducanu said. "[Rakhimova] played some incredible tennis - she got to a lot of balls and made it very difficult.
”It was a match of ups and downs, and I was so grateful for the support that I had in some really tough moments closing out that second.
”I think it’s a mix of adrenaline but it was tough to take that fall. I feel like I was in a pretty good spot in the match, but on grass, these things can happen.
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Emma Raducanu slips on court against Kamilla Rakhimova
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"I found it pretty tough to regroup, but I’m really proud of how I did that in the end, with the help of you guys."
Raducanu will have to go again later this afternoon when she faces world No.19 Jovic for a place in Sunday’s final.
Meanwhile, Katie Boulter's impressive run at Queen's came to a disappointing end as she fell in straight sets to Donna Vekic in the semi-finals at the Andy Murray Arena.
The British No. 3 had produced one of the standout performances of the tournament in the previous round, overcoming Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set quarter-final.
However, there were signs that the physical and emotional demands of that victory had taken their toll, with Boulter unable to replicate the same intensity as she succumbed to a 6-1 6-3 defeat.
The 29-year-old left the court swiftly after the match without speaking, following a dominant display from Vekic. The Croatian was formidable on serve, conceding just six points behind her delivery and dropping only four games across the contest.
The victory secured Vekic's first tour-level final in two years, having last reached a showpiece before winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Reflecting on her semi-final triumph, Vekic said: "First of all, to be playing on this incredible court, it's such an honour. The more time I get to spend on this court, the better, so I'm happy I have another chance tomorrow.
"I have been improving with each match and that's usually how it goes on grass - the more time you spend on it, the better you get. I love this surface. I love this city. I'm really happy.
"I spent a lot of time training here when I was younger so I have a lot of friends here. London feels like a second home to me."
The world's top women are sharpening up before Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, which begins on June 29.
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