Emma Raducanu returns to competitive singles action for the first time since exiting at the French Open in Tuesday’s first-round contest against Cristina Bucsa at the Queen’s Club Championships.
The Brit, swatted aside by Iga Swiatek in Paris, seeks a return to winning ways against the Spanish woman who came through qualifying to reach the main draw in West Kensington.
After an encouraging clay-court season in which Raducanu reached the second round in Madrid, fourth round in Rome and advanced to another second round at Roland Garros, she heads to the grass courts of Queen’s, aiming to have a positive run in her home tournament.
The 22-year-old could benefit from many of the WTA Tour’s leading players’ absence in West Kensington, as she strives for another encouraging period leading into this year’s Wimbledon.
The one-time Grand Slam champion had a positive preparation 12 months ago before the Championships, reaching the semi-finals in Nottingham before losing to Katie Boulter and progressing to the quarters in Eastbourne before falling to Daria Kasatkina.
Both tournaments were pivotal to the former world No. 10’s run to the fourth round at the Championships, equalling her 2021 performance, and the Bromley resident hopes to have a deep run in Queen’s to carry much-needed confidence into the third Grand Slam of 2025.
Entering Tuesday’s contest with Bucsa at 13-11 for the season, Raducanu, who had a 7-3 record on grass in 2024, aims to record a first victory on the surface this season.
The home player’s opponent needed to come through qualifying to advance to the first edition of the women’s event at the Queen’s Club since 1973.
Having defeated Alice Gillan in just one hour, the 27-year-old needed a decider to outlast Yuriko Miyazaki 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after two hours and 11 minutes.
That was the world No. 112’s 15th victory of 2025, including results in qualifying, and the former No. 56 in the world seeks a 16th at the expense of another British opponent.
The Spanish player’s recent victories means she enters a second meeting with Raducanu at 4-4 in the last year on grass, a mixed return for the 27-year-old, who hopes for much-improved preparation for Wimbledon this year after an early exit in Nottingham 12 months ago, which preceded her failure to make it through qualifying in Eastbourne soon after.
Head To Head
Singapore (2025) – Round of 32: Bucsa 5-7 7-5 7-5
Bucsa and Raducanu meet for the second time this season, with the Spanish player leading 1-0 in their head-to-head.
The 27-year-old needed a fightback in Singapore to overturn losing the opening set against the Brit before taking tight second and third sets for the victory.
Raducanu’s results have improved since that January defeat, and the 22-year-old, who has risen 19 places since that loss, aims to avenge that disappointment.
We say: Raducanu to win in two sets
Not only have Raducanu’s results been better since falling to Bucsa in January, but the British star also has the advantage of playing on home soil.
Having played commendably on grass last year, the former Grand Slam champion will hope to get off to a strong start at the Queen’s Club on Tuesday, and we are backing the home player for a straightforward victory.
