Emma Raducanu faced a defeat by Donna Vekic in the HSBC Championships final at Queens, despite a strong effort in the second set. Raducanu was aiming for a remarkable victory in front of her home fans but struggled initially as Vekic dominated the first set with a 6-0 win. The second set was more closely contested, but Vekic ultimately secured the win in a tiebreak.

Ranked 42nd in the world, Raducanu, the British number one, has not clinched a title since her historic triumph at the US Open in 2021. Vekic, the champion, overcame another British player, Katie Boulter, in the semi-finals.

Raducanu had a flawless run to the final, not dropping a set against opponents like Iva Jovic, Kamilla Rakhimova, and Sorana Cirstea. Despite the loss, Raducanu remained positive, showcasing her skills in the second set as she prepares for Wimbledon in a few weeks.

Expressing gratitude for the support she received, Raducanu acknowledged the tough match against Vekic. On the other hand, Vekic admitted her concern about a potential comeback from Raducanu after her dominant start in the match.

Raducanu has reached the fourth round at Wimbledon twice, her second-best performance at a Grand Slam following her fairy-tale victory in New York. Last year, despite a loss to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, she demonstrated her talent on the court.