As the grass courts of Queen’s Club come alive with the buzz of the 2025 HSBC Championships, a blockbuster quarterfinal looms between top seed Zheng Qinwen and British sensation Emma Raducanu. The Chinese star, fresh off a dramatic comeback, issued a bold challenge to her rival, signaling her intent to conquer her grass-court struggles and derail Raducanu’s quest for glory on home soil. “I’m here to fight, and I’m ready to adapt,” Zheng declared, setting the stage for an electrifying clash between two of tennis’s brightest young talents.
Zheng, the world No. 5 and 2024 Olympic gold medalist, battled through a grueling second-round match against American McCartney Kessler, emerging victorious with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 scoreline after two hours and 12 minutes of intense play. Trailing 1-4 in the third set, the 22-year-old showcased her trademark resilience, breaking Kessler’s serve in the seventh and 11th games to seal a thrilling comeback. “It wasn’t easy, but I kept pushing,” Zheng said post-match, reflecting on her ability to stay composed under pressure. Her victory marked only her fourth career win on grass, a surface where she has historically struggled, going 1-5 across 2023 and 2024. Yet, her determination to master the slick courts was evident as she warned Raducanu: “I know grass isn’t my strongest surface, but I’m learning fast, and I’m not afraid of the challenge.”
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, enters the match as the home favorite, riding a wave of confidence after storming into the quarterfinals with commanding straight-set wins over Cristina Bucsa (6-1, 6-2) and Rebecca Sramkova (6-4, 6-1). The 22-year-old’s performance against Sramkova was a masterclass in grass-court tennis, with 72% of her first serves landing and six breaks of her opponent’s serve. “I’m really pleased to get through that. I don’t think it was my cleanest performance, but I’m happy to push through in the tight moments,” Raducanu said, crediting the raucous London crowd for lifting her spirits. Her resurgence at Queen’s has also seen her reclaim the British No. 1 ranking from Katie Boulter, a milestone she celebrated with a playful “Long live Boultucanu” message on the camera lens, nodding to their doubles partnership.
The quarterfinal marks the first WTA Tour meeting between Zheng and Raducanu, though they clashed as juniors at the 2018 US Open, where Raducanu won 7-6(6), 6-1. On grass, Raducanu holds a clear edge, having reached the Wimbledon fourth round in 2024 and thriving on the surface’s low bounce and quick pace, which suit her aggressive returning and fluid movement. Zheng, by contrast, has yet to reach a grass-court quarterfinal before this tournament, her powerful serve—evidenced by 10 aces against Kessler—often undermined by unforced errors on the unpredictable surface. “Emma is tough on grass, and the crowd will be behind her, but I’m focused on my game,” Zheng said, emphasizing her mental preparation for the hostile atmosphere.
The matchup is a study in contrasts: Zheng’s raw power and relentless baseline game against Raducanu’s crafty shot-making and court coverage. Raducanu’s 52 return points won out of 94 at Queen’s highlight her ability to neutralize big servers, a skill that could test Zheng’s 67% first-serve point win rate. Yet, Zheng’s recent form—reaching the semifinals of the Italian Open and quarterfinals of the French Open—suggests she’s peaking at the right time. “I got tight in moments against Sabalenka at Roland Garros, but I’m learning to stay calm,” Zheng reflected, hinting at her growing maturity.
For Raducanu, the Queen’s campaign is a chance to build momentum ahead of Wimbledon, starting June 30, 2025. Her relaxed demeanor, bolstered by the return of coach Nick Cavaday, has unleashed a freer, more creative style. “I’m feeling settled and expressing myself on court,” she said, a stark contrast to her injury-plagued 2023 season. Zheng, meanwhile, aims to make history as the first Chinese player to reach a WTA grass-court semifinal, a goal that would cap her meteoric rise since becoming Asia’s first Olympic singles gold medalist.
As Queen’s Club braces for this royal rivalry, the tennis world eagerly awaits a battle that could define the grass-court season. Will Zheng’s newfound resilience topple Raducanu’s home-court advantage, or will the Brit’s grass-court prowess prove too much? One thing is certain: both stars are ready to leave it all on the court.
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