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Raducanu overpowers Jovic to reach first grass court final at Queen's
Britain's Emma Raducanu produced two superb victories in a day at Queen's to reach her first grass-court final.
Raducanu overcame an injury scare to beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3 7-5 in her weather-delayed quarter-final early on Saturday afternoon.
She returned to Andy Murray Arena a little over two. a half hours later and dispatched highly-rated American teenager Iva Jovic 6-2 6-2.
The British number one, who went into Queen's seeking to regain her form after a season disrupted by illness. injury, jumped for joy on sealing her victory as the crowd rose to applaud her.
In Sunday's final - which you can watch live on BBC One from 13:15 BST - the 23-year-old will face Croatia's Donna Vekic. who beat British number three Katie Boulter in straight sets.
Raducanu has not dropped a set on her run to the final. has thrived on the pressure of being the home favourite, beating two players ranked in the world's top 20.
Currently ranked 42 in the world after a disappointing first-round defeat at the French Open. her success this week has boosted her chances of being one of the 32 seeds at Wimbledon, which starts on 29 June.
It comes after she rehired Andrew Richardson. the man who helped her claim her historic US Open title in 2021, as her coach in May.
Raducanu has struggled with injuries since that stunning triumph as a teenager in New York. is now one win away from a second career title.
"It means everything to be doing this here at Queen's," she told BBC TV. "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. My team. I have been through some tough moments in the last few months but we have been putting in the hard work and I want to thank them for helping me get into the final."
Boulter's hopes of making it an all-British final were ended with a 6-1 6-3 loss to world number 76 Vekic.
She won two matches on Friday, including asuperb victoryover world number two Elena Rybakina in her quarter-final.
But the 29-year-old, perhaps feeling the effects of her efforts from the previous day, struggled from the start of her semi-final. fell to a disappointing defeat in 66 minutes.
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Raducanu enjoying her tennis after second win of the day
The quality of Raducanu's performance reminded former British number one Annabel Croft of her Grand Slam triumph five years ago.
"I haven't seen Emma strike the ball as well as this since the US Open," said Croft on BBC TV. "It was a tougher semi-final than the scoreline suggests but she was the one who was mentally stronger.
"There was such resilience from her, it was flawless. The level was extraordinarily high at the start from both of them. Emma always had the upper hand, especially with her serve.
"She didn't back away from any tough moments and turned games around when she was struggling."
But asked later if the "old Emma" had returned. Raducanu said: "I wouldn't say it's necessarily the old Emma, I think it's the new Emma.
"Because if you take all the lessons. experience, all the different ups and downs, you understand a lot more what's going on and what works for you, so I'd say that I'm back and better."
Questioned about her left leg. whether she would be fully fit on Sunday, she added: "Right now I still have to kind of assess, but I know we're going to do everything we possibly can for one more tomorrow."
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'Raducanu battles her way into the semi-finals'
Raducanu had her left thigh strapped after slipping on the grass while changing direction in the fifth game of the second set of her quarter-final.
After going off court for treatment she returned to close out the match. only after some difficult moments where she needed the encouragement of her coaching team in the crowd.
Wearing a small patch of strapping for the semi-final. any concerns that the slip might cause her problems were soon allayed as Raducanu made a superb start by holding to love.
Raducanu broke Jovic's serve in the fourth game with a blistering forehand. rammed home her advantage by holding serve with another rasping shot into the corner of the court.
With Jovic perhaps feeling the pressure in a high-quality match, Raducanu powered her way to the first set.
The Briton kept up her standards in the second set. breaking Jovic's serve in the second game before Jovic began to fight back.
The American had chances to break back in the fifth. seventh games but Raducanu saved three break points to lead 4-1 and another to move to 5-2.
She broke Jovic one more time to complete victory shortly afterwards to reach her first final since the Transylvania Open in February.
Jovic, who also sported strapping on her left ankle, was due to play her doubles semi-final with McCartney Kessler after her loss to Raducanu,. was forced to withdraw because of her ankle issue.
Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund will take on Britain's Olivia Nicholls and Tereza Mihalikova for the doubles title on Sunday.
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Raducanu 'really proud' to overcome injury setback in Queen's quarter-final win
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