Emma Raducanu storms into Queen’s final after beating Iva Jovic on marathon day

Emma Raducanu stormed into the final of the HSBC Championships after thumping American Iva Jovic 6-2 6-2 on a day that saw the British number one win two matches at Queen’s.

Raducanu reached the third WTA Tour-level final of her career by brushing aside 18-year-old Jovic in straight sets in London.

The weather-plagued second edition of the women’s tournament at Queen’s meant Raducanu had a busy day, first beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3 7-5 at the Andy Murray Arena in a quarter-final briefly interrupted by the King’s birthday flyover before facing Jovic.

The 23-year-old’s opponent for Sunday’s final will be Croatian lucky loser Donna Vekic, who beat British number three Katie Boulter in straight sets in the match preceding Raducanu’s on centre court.

“This week has been incredible,” Raducanu said on court.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing here and I think that really shows in my tennis and how I’ve been able to compete, stick out some really tough moments and it means everything.”

Raducanu will hope to finally add to the US Open title she memorably claimed as a wild card in 2021.

“Of course, if you ask any player, especially any Brit, you would love to lift the title here,” she added.

Last month, after running through a carousel of coaches since, the Briton rehired Andrew Richardson, the man who helped her land that historic title.

She also reached the final at the Transylvania Open in February, exacting revenge on that tournament’s winner, Sorana Cirstea, in the last 16 at Queen’s.

A slip in the second set of Raducanu’s quarter-final sparked concern about the Briton’s fitness after she emerged from a medical pause with her left thigh wrapped in heavy tape, which she later removed in that victory.

She appeared on court before