Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter’s Nottingham Open semi-final was halted due to poor light, resulting in a pause in their intense match. This delay followed a day of rain, causing scheduling difficulties for the tournament.
Raducanu took the lead by winning the first set with a decisive tie-break, positioning herself well to reach her first final since her victory at the 2021 US Open. Despite facing off against Boulter, the defending champion and a top 30 world rankings player, Raducanu displayed impressive determination and skill throughout the match.
The competition between the two players was intense, as they both saved break points during the opening set, ultimately leading to a tense tie-break. Raducanu faced a challenging moment when she slipped and jarred her left knee, but she valiantly continued and emerged victorious in the end.
Due to worsening light conditions, play was eventually suspended, necessitating the continuation of the semi-finals and finals on the following day.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Karolina Pliskova and Diane Parry were unable to play their matches due to earlier matches running long. Pliskova secured a victory against top seed Ons Jabeur, while Parry overcame Kimberly Birrell.
Raducanu’s advancement to the semi-finals came as a result of her quarter-final opponent’s withdrawal, citing a shoulder injury as the reason for her inability to compete.
In the men’s competition, Jack Draper emerged victorious in the semi-final of the Stuttgart Open, positioning himself to potentially earn his first ATP Tour title. Draper’s win over Brandon Nakashima solidified his position as Britain’s highest-ranked player, and his impressive performance has positioned him for a potential seeding at Wimbledon.
Draper’s upcoming opponent in the final, Matteo Berrettini, acknowledged the challenge he faces in the upcoming match, noting Draper’s exceptional serving abilities.
As the tournament progresses towards the final rounds, both Raducanu and Draper have showcased their determination and skill, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Nottingham Open and the Stuttgart Open.
Source: The Guardian