Emma Raducanu booked a semi-final at Queen’s club on Saturday, overcoming a right thigh injury to hold on for a 6-3, 7-5 defeat of Uzbek Kamilla Rakhimova.

 The crowd favourite had to leave the grass court while leading a set and a break over the lucky loser from qualifying after slipping and falling on her leg.

The off-court medical timeout resulted in a strapping and a loss of confidence.

The No. 42 who retreated to the grass after a first-round defeat at Roland Garros lost the next three games before regaining equilibrium, breaking for 6-5 and serving out the win on second match point.

The quarter-final had been due for Friday, but was postponed by weather and a lack of light. A nervous Raduucanu began the delayed start with three straight double-faults before settling in.  

The 2021 US Open champion from suburban London now faces a second match,taking on Iva Jovic for a place in the final.

British fans were dreaming of a miracle, with local Katie Boulter taking on Croat Donna Vekic in a semi-final to be followed by Raducanu redux.

With so few matches this sparse season in her legs, Raducanu was facing a fitness challenge.

“The match was up and down. I had support in some really tough moments in closing it out,” Raducanu said.

“It was tough to regroup after the fall, but I’m proud that I did that in the end.”

The Brit added: “I’m wishing Katie well in her match and hoping that I can do the same.”

Main photo:- Emma Raducanu celebrates win – by Mark Greenwood/ISF Ltd

Emma Raducanu won the first match of a double-up day at Queen’s on Friday, with the Briton springing to life for a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Sorana Cirstea.

The 36-year-old Romanian who won the hearts of French fans at Roland Garros as she ran to the quarter-finals as she plays: out her farewell season.

Raducanu had no sympathy as she avenged a February finals loss at the Transylvanian Open to the No. 18.

The Briton ranked 42nd is due on court later to play out a quarter-final which was delayed a day by a week of rainy London weather.

 “It feels incredible to come out and play how I did today against Sorana,” the winner said. “She’s been in incredible form this year and had some amazing wins. 

“Earlier in the year she beat me but I’m really glad I could get her back at home as well.”

Raducanu added: “I played at a really high level, I knew I had to go out and play aggressively and dictate. As soon as I took my foot off the gas a little bit she was coming back.

“I have another match to come later, so I hope you guys can stick around!

“Thanks so much to everyone who stuck around yesterday, I really wanted to show some good tennis to make up for yesterday’s rain delays.”

Katie Boulter put a second local into the last eight with her 6-1, 6-3 defeat of another Romanian in Jacqueline Cristian

WTA No. 2 Elena Rybakina accounted for German defending champion Tatjana Maria 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-0 comeback effort in west London.

Main photo:- Emma Raducanu celebrates – by Mark Greenwood/ISF Ltd

The comeback dream of Serena Williams was handed a fatal blow with teenaged partner Victoria Mboko pulling up lame after a fall in singles which forced her retirement.

The Canadian went down with a knee injury, which rules her out as the Wimbledon run-up tightens. 

The doubles flop left the 44-year-old out of commission this week in a rain-hit Queen’s club.

The veteran who played her previous last Tour match in 2022, is now only able to look forward to another doubles go next week in Berlin, reportedly alongside Czech Karolina Muchova..

Williams was “retired” during the period in which the London club venue was added to the WTA calendar, 

She and Mboko won their opening doubles match on Tuesday but were unable to progress further due to the circumstances.

 The Williams pairing was to have played Canadian Leylah Fernandez and German Laura Siegemund in the second round with the Canadian/German team reaching the semi-finals, 

Mother of two Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, has hinted all week that she is not considering a run in singles.

“Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception,” she said.

“I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season.”

Wimbledon doubles also remains a question mark: “It’s just a day at a time. I still have a little time to decide, and they have been great about giving me that space and time to ⁠decide.”

Main photo:- Serena Williams in action in the first round at Queens – by Mark Greenwood/ISF Ltd