WASHINGTON – Emma Laducanu has won her biggest semi-final since the 2021 US Open title, reaching her final four at the DC Open, eliminating Maria Saccari 6-4, 7-5 on Friday.
On a sultry day when temperatures reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), Radkanu took a medical timeout, kicking out 5-2 in the second set, before engaging in the final five games of the match.
“I want to say the heat is pretty good, but today I was really struggling,” said 18-year-old Radkanu, who was the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam Singles Strophy. “This was one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played. … Point in the second set, I wobbled a bit. I’m happy I was able to close it, and it was a two-set.”
Also, the semi-finals of the WTA 500 Hard Court Tournament are Leila Fernandez, runner-up at Radocanu at Flushing Meadows four years ago. Fernandez scored a 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over qualifying Taylor Townsend on Thursday.
Next up after Fernandez will be facing 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rivakina, the highest remaining seed on the field at No. 3, or No. 5 Magdanella Fletch, the player who defeated Venus Williams on Thursday night.
Radukanu’s semi-final opponent will be fourth Clara Towson or Anna Karinkaya on Saturday.
The first man to reach the semi-finals is Corentinmut, the 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 winner at 2021 US Open champion Danil Medvedev. The match was about an hour behind in the third set due to lightning in the area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
