Emma Raducanu’s promising run at Queen’s came to an end in the quarter-finals as she was overpowered by world number five and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
The match highlighted two key challenges for the British number one: the physical toll of a demanding week and the growing gap between her and the sport’s top-tier players.
Despite moments of brilliance and a strong start to the second set, where she went up a double break, Raducanu was ultimately unable to contain the power and precision of Zheng.
A persistent back issue, which has affected Raducanu over recent months, resurfaced during the match. She took a medical timeout after the first set, later admitting the strain of playing five matches in a short span — including two doubles matches with Katie Boulter — had likely caught up with her.
“I’m not overly concerned that it’s something serious,” she told BBC Sport post-match, “but I know it’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management.”
Despite the defeat, Raducanu showed resilience and flashes of her shot-making ability. However, Zheng’s relentless hitting underlined the physical and tactical demands that still separate Raducanu from the game’s current elite.
As she continues to rebuild after injury setbacks, this match served as both a test and a reminder of the consistency and durability required to compete at the very top.
