Raducanu back in the semis after year-plus absence

The British teenager whose 2021 US Open title from a qualifying start set a record in tennis has since faced reality, with a first round New York loss last month in her title defence and a current standing of 77.

The Londoner defeated third seed Magda Linette 6-2, 6-2 to next face top seed and former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in the weekend semi-finals.

Raducanu has reached the final four without dropping a set ; she won her quarter-final with the loss of just one point on first serve.

In one passage, the Brit swept 14 of 17 points over Poland’s Linette, finalist lat weekend in Chennai final.

“I think Magda was feeling it a bit physically,” Raducanu said.  “She’s had a lot of matches and good wins because she’s a really tough player, and sometimes it catches up with the body.

“I think it’s pretty cool to make my first semifinal and build my way on tour the right way, to go through the stages.”

Emma Raducanu will play for her first final in more than a year after reaching the semis at the WTA event in Seoul on Friday.

The British teenager whose 2021 US Open title from a qualifying start set a record in tennis has since faced reality, with a first round New York loss last month in her title defence and a current

 standing of 77.

The Londoner defeated third seed Magda Linette 6-2, 6-2 to next face top seed and former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in the weekend semi-finals.

Raducanu has reached the final four without dropping a set ; she won her quarter-final with the loss of just one point on first serve.

In one passage, the Brit swept 14 of 17 points over Poland Linette, finalist lat weekend in Chennai final.

“I think Magda was feeling it a bit physically,” Raducanu said.  “She’s had a lot of matches and good wins because she’s a really tough player, and sometimes it catches up with the body.

“I think it’s pretty cool to make my first semifinal and build my way on tour the right way, to go through the stages.”