British tennis player Emma Raducanu has been eliminated from the Queen’s Club Championship after losing in the quarterfinals against Zheng Qinwen.
Raducanu’s defeat, which left her out of the competition, marks the end of British participation in the tournament for the final weekend.
Zheng, Olympic champion, won with a score of 6-2 and 6-4, demonstrating her skill and solidifying her position as a strong contender for Wimbledon.
The 22-year-old, who became Britain’s number one by reaching the quarter-finals, could not overcome Zheng’s game.
In a match played at the Andy Murray Arena, Zheng secured his place in the semifinals, his first time on grass, by converting his fourth match point.
Zheng, who has won titles on clay and hard courts, is still adapting to grass. She showed a notable improvement in her match against Raducanu, even after changing shoes mid-game.
“I want to apologize for my shoes. I didn’t want to fall twice, but I just don’t know how to run on grass. I still don’t know when I have to change the grass shoes. I think now is the time, so it’s the new shoes. I feel much better running.
Zheng Qinwen
The first set remained even until Zheng, world number five, managed to break serve to go up 4-2. Despite the public’s support for Raducanu, Zheng was not intimidated and took the first set, despite a fall at the decisive point. Raducanu requested a medical timeout for a back problem before the second set, which boosted her game and allowed her to secure a double break to go up 3-0. Zheng responded quickly, equalizing the set before going up 5-4 with a header that grazed the line, leaving the audience amazed to see the replay. Raducanu, serving to stay in the match, committed a double fault that gave Zheng three match points, which she saved before the seeded player prevailed.It was a very difficult match for me, especially because she has more experience than me on the grass court. I am very happy to reach the semi-final for the first time on grass.
Zheng Qinwen
