Emma Raducanu Advances to Semifinals
In a thrilling upset, Emma Raducanu has advanced to the semifinals of the D.C. Open, marking her most significant performance since her unexpected victory at the 2021 US Open. On Friday, she defeated Maria Sakkari with a score of 6-4, 7-5, overcoming substantial challenges brought on by the sweltering conditions, which soared to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Despite initially trailing 5-2 in the second set and requiring a medical break, Raducanu displayed remarkable resilience, winning the final five games to secure her spot in the semifinals.
“I usually handle the heat pretty well, but I really struggled today,” Raducanu admitted, reflecting on her experience in such harsh conditions.
The young athlete, who created history at 18 by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title, called this match one of the most difficult she has ever competed in.
Leylah Fernandez and Men’s Semifinals
In the same tournament, Leylah Fernandez, who was the runner-up to Raducanu in that memorable 2021 US Open final, also moved forward to the semifinals. She achieved her victory against qualifier Taylor Townsend with a 6-4, 7-6(4) win on Thursday. Fernandez’s next challenge will be a face-off against either the third-seeded Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, or Magdalena Frech, the fifth seed who previously defeated Venus Williams.
On the men’s side, the first player to secure a spot in the semifinals was Corentin Moutet, who triumphed over Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, with a score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. This match faced a brief interruption due to lightning during the third set, delaying play for about an hour. Raducanu is set to confront either Clara Tauson, seeded fourth, or Anna Kalinskaya in her semifinal match on Saturday.
