Emma Raducanu is into a maiden grass-court final as she produced two superb victories in one day at Queen’s Club.
The British No1 survived an injury scare in her quarter-final win over Kamilla Rakhimova, which had been carried over from Friday after rain had delayed play.
She powered past the Russian 6-3 7-5 on Andy Murray Arena before returning just over two hours later to defeat American Iva Jovic 6-2 6-2 in front of an adoring home support.
Raducanu, who has been plagued with injuries since her stunning US Open triumph back in 2021, was forced off the court in her quarter-final against Rakhimova after a slip in the second set.
She re-emerged with strapping on her thigh, and rode through a rocky period to win through and reach the last four later in the afternoon.
Upon her return, she breezed past the newest US prodigy Jovic, who was seeded sixth this week.
She stunned the second seed and her compatriot Amanda Anisimova, last year’s Wimbledon finalist, in the last eight, and also defeated the tricky Filipino Alexandra Eala en route to the semi-finals.
Raducanu’s season has been stunted by more injury and a further viral illness that has caused her to miss a number of tournaments, and her appearance at Queen’s is her first since her opening-round defeat by Solana Sierra at the French Open, with the Argentine thrashing her 6-0 7-6(4).
"It means everything to be doing this here at Queen's," she said. "The whole day has been electric.
"This week has been incredible, I really enjoy playing here and that shows in my tennis.
"Ask any British player and they would love to lift the title here. We've been through some tough moments in the last few months but we have been putting in the hard work and I want to thank my team for helping me get into the final."
Hopes of an all-British final were dashed earlier on Saturday when Katie Boulter, Raducanu’s doubles partner, was beaten by Croatian Donna Vekic.
Vekic, who came through qualifying in west London, has swept every opponent in her way aside en route to the final, dropping just one set.
She defeated Boulter 6-1 6-3 in ruthless fashion, and the world No76, will take on Raducanu, the world No42, in Sunday’s final.
