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Raducanu goes back-to-back to reach Queen's final

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Emma Raducanu battled into the Queen's final with back-to-back wins on Saturday, over Kamilla Rakhimova and Iva Jovic, respectively.

Raducanu had to play both her quarter-final and semi-final ties within a matter of hours, but the 2021 US Open champion pushed through to reach her second final of the season.

Indeed, it is just the second showpiece match Raducanu has reached since she triumphed at Flushing Meadows almost five years ago.

She won both matches in straight sets, but was made to work hard. Rakhimova pushed her all the way as Raducanu won 6-3 7-5, with the match interrupted by both the Red Arrows flying overhead, and when the Briton required treatment on a thigh issue she sustained in an awkward slip.

Raducanu got the job done, though, and after Donna Vekic beat Katie Boulter, the 23-year-old returned to court with strapping down her left hamstring to go up against in-form youngster Jovic.

Yet Raducanu powered into a 6-2 lead, and despite Jovic offering the threat of a fightback at one point early in the second, the home favourite got over the line thanks to a slack return from her American opponent.

Flawless Raducanu on the brink of trophy number two

Raducanu has reached the showpiece match without dropping a set. Sunday's showdown with lucky loser Vekic will mark her maiden grass-court final.

"It means everything, to be doing it here at Queen's, the support has been electric," said Raducanu, who has endured an illness-interrupted season and, before this week, had not won a Tour-level match since March.

"This week's been incredible. I'm really enjoying my tennis. I've been able to compete, stick out some really tough moments."

Raducanu's clinical shots against serve got her through against Jovic, who was broken five times but could only break back once.