In a thrilling quarterfinal showdown at the 2025 HSBC Championships held at Queen’s Club, London, top seed and world No. 5 Qinwen Zheng delivered a commanding performance, defeating Britain’s own Emma Raducanu in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. The match, played under the blazing sun on the Andy Murray Arena, showcased Zheng’s relentless attacking style and adaptability on grass, a surface where she has historically faced challenges. Despite the partisan home crowd rallying behind Raducanu, the Olympic champion maintained her composure, advancing to her first-ever grass-court semifinal and sparking intrigue with a bold prediction about her opponent’s future.
Zheng, fresh off a quarterfinal appearance at Roland Garros, entered the match with confidence, leveraging her powerful serve and forehand to dictate play. The first set saw Zheng break Raducanu’s serve to take a 4-2 lead, capitalizing on the Briton’s struggle to counter her aggressive baseline game. A fall at set point didn’t faze the 22-year-old Chinese star, who clinched the opener 6-2. Raducanu, ranked No. 37, showed resilience early in the second set, taking a medical timeout for a recurring back issue before storming to a 3-0 lead with a double break. However, Zheng’s adaptability shone through as she adjusted her tactics, reclaiming momentum and sweeping six of the next seven games to secure the victory in one hour and 50 minutes.
The match wasn’t without controversy. Zheng drew boos from the crowd for mid-game interruptions, including changing her shoes at a critical 30-40 moment on Raducanu’s serve and swapping rackets, actions some deemed unsportsmanlike. Raducanu, reflecting on these disruptions, expressed frustration, stating, “I don’t think it’s ideal.” Zheng, in her post-match press conference, acknowledged the crowd’s displeasure but defended her actions, saying, “I didn’t know the crowd was so unhappy about my changing shoes.” She emphasized her improved mental fortitude, noting, “I played better than in my younger years due to maintaining a strong attitude throughout the match.”
Despite the loss, Raducanu’s performance at Queen’s Club was a testament to her growing form on grass. Having dispatched Cristina Bucșa and Rebecca Šramková in earlier rounds without dropping a set, the former US Open champion climbed to No. 36 in the world rankings. However, her back injury, which required painkillers and off-court treatment during the match, forced her to withdraw from the upcoming Berlin Open. Raducanu remains optimistic about her Wimbledon preparations, targeting a return at the WTA 250 event in Eastbourne starting June 23. “I’ve played five matches in a pretty short amount of time. I’m probably feeling that, so I need to let the back rest and see how it goes from there,” she told reporters, dismissing fears of a serious injury.
Zheng’s victory sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash against American Amanda Anisimova, who advanced by defeating third seed Emma Navarro in straight sets. The Chinese star, who has now won five matches on grass this week—surpassing her total from last season—expressed confidence in her evolving game. Reflecting on her encounter with Raducanu, Zheng predicted a burgeoning rivalry, stating, “I will definitely meet Emma Raducanu in the future.” Her words hint at a belief in Raducanu’s potential to return to the elite level, despite the Briton’s recent injury setbacks and challenges against top-tier players like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
Raducanu, the British No. 1, acknowledged the gap between herself and the world’s best, saying, “I think I have a lot of work to do, to be honest.” Her grass-court experience, including three quarterfinal appearances in the past year, gives her an edge as she prepares for Wimbledon, where seeding could be crucial to avoid early clashes with top players. Zheng, meanwhile, continues to defy expectations on a surface where she previously struggled, her Paris Olympic gold medal and recent form signaling her readiness to compete for her first grass-court final.
As the HSBC Championships progress, Zheng’s blend of power and resilience makes her a formidable contender. For Raducanu, the focus shifts to recovery and building momentum for Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round last year. The tennis world eagerly awaits whether Zheng’s prediction of future battles will come to fruition, setting the stage for an exciting rivalry in the years ahead.
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