Latest news with #TheQueen'sClub
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Katie Boulter gets Queen's campaign off to winning start with Raducanu
The 28-year-old teamed up with the 2021 US Open Champion to down Xinju Jiang and Fang-Hsien Wu 6-4 6-2 in their first round match at the LTA's HSBC Championships. The tournament marked the first time since 1973 that a women's event has been held at The Queen's Club, and Boulter and Raducanu were the first Brits to grace the famous West Kensington courts. And with a first victory under her belt on the grass this season, Boulter was thrilled to see such a strong start to their budding partnership. "I'm obviously very pleased to get Emma's first ever win on the board for doubles," she said. "I thought we played some very good tennis to say that it was our first time playing together. I thought the level was very high so I'm pleased to get our first grass court win this year." The duo got off to a speedy start, immediately breaking their opponents in what looked like the start of a dominant performance. Jiang and Wu later broke back and levelled the score to four games all but the British pair held and surged ahead once more to take the first 6-4. The pair once again found their flow in the second set and won three games in a row to take the lead. It meant that they were left to serve for the match and wrapped up their maiden doubles appearance together in style, sealing their spot in the second round. "I think we serve and return very well and have good volleys," added Boulter. "If one of us hits a good ball then we're both going to capitalise on that so naturally I feel a lot more confident that Emma's going to put the ball away which is good. "I think that we are just going to keep making it tough for our opponents and see what happens." For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Sonay Kartal records biggest career win on first day of Queen's
The tournament marks the first time since 1973 that a women's event has been held at The Queen's Club and Kartal made sure that British singles hopes got off to a strong start on the freshly named Andy Murray Arena, heralding the performance as one of the best in her career. "The nerves hit me a little bit - I'm not going to lie," she said. "Proud of that win!" 💫 Catch up with Sonay Kartal after her stunning win over Kasatkina at the #HSBCChampionships — LTA (@the_LTA) June 9, 2025 "But it was an unbelievable opener for me, to be able to play on this court as well, with everyone cheering me on, it was a super-special moment. "It was my first grass tournament, first match, and I was nervous going into that one. "I knew it was going to be far from easy, but it's probably one of the best matches I've played - that was a solid first round". The Brit immediately shut out her opposition and took the first five games in her stride to continue her recent fine form, overpowering Kasatkina in all areas in the opening set. The tables soon turned, however, with Kasatkina finally finding her range and putting the challenge to Kartal. Kasatkina forced a third and seemed to be in contention to turn the match around before a series of double faults from the Australian led Kartal to capitalise on the moment. The Brit ultimately came out on top and sealed her spot in the second round. Kartal has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the rankings already this year, making the fourth round at Indian Wells and the second round at Roland Garros and noted her excitement in continued strong performances on court. "The last year has been crazy - it's not what I thought would happen," she said. "The last two months I've played in bigger tournaments and I feel I handle the bigger occasions better. "I'm not saying it's getting any easier but I'm just getting better handling this crazy sport." For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Emma Raducanu enjoys dream Queen's doubles start with victory
By Megan Armitage at The Queen's Club Emma Raducanu's first foray into doubles since 2022 got off to a dream start with victory at Queen's. The 22-year-old teamed up with British No.1 Katie Boulter to down Xinju Jiang and Fang-Hsien Wu 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the LTA's HSBC Championships. Advertisement It is the first time the duo have teamed up to play together, with Raducanu's only previous doubles experience being with Clara Tauson in the opening round of the 2022 Washington Open. Raducanu admitted that she is relishing the opportunity to take to the court once more with Boulter after a first taste of victory in the format brushed off any initial nerves. "I was very nervous before the match, I don't know if Katie could tell but I was probably more nervous than singles because I didn't necessarily know what to do," she said. "I'm really happy once we got out there. Katie made me feel so comfortable and I'm pleased to get a win on the court." Advertisement The duo got off to a speedy start, immediately breaking their opponents in what looked like the beginning of a dominant performance. Jiang and Wu later broke back and levelled the score to four games all but the British pair held and surged ahead once more to take the set. The pair once again found their form in the second and won three games in a row to take the lead. It meant that they were left to serve for the match and wrapped up their maiden doubles appearance together in style, sealing their spot in the second round. The tournament marked the first time since 1973 that a women's event has been held at the Queen's Club, and Boulter and Raducanu were the first Brits to grace the courts in West Kensington. Advertisement Raducanu had already tempered expectations coming into the tournament, citing back issues which have hampered her grass court preparation, but shook off any doubts with an opening victory. "It was good to test it out and see how it went in the match," she said. "Hopefully it stays in good shape for tomorrow." Taking to Court One on their Queen's debut, Raducanu also noted how personal it felt to be close to the British crowd, including a memorable fan and player conversation mid-match. "Sometimes on the smaller courts you get a better feel for the atmosphere and the environment because it's mor intimate," she said. Advertisement "I love playing on those courts as the crowd get into it. "I was filling my bottle up and ended up having a chat in the stands because that's how close it is." For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Star names headline historic return for women's tennis at The Queen's Club
The LTA has announced that the current Australian Open champion Madison Keys, British number one, Katie Boulter, and former US Open winner Emma Raducanu are also set to compete at the historic HSBC Championships this June, joining global star Naomi Osaka as well as last year's Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina as the first five players to commit to the event. After an absence of more than half a century, women's professional tennis will be returning to The Queen's Club in the form of a WTA 500 event, which promises to showcase top-class women's tennis at one of the most iconic venues in the country. The HSBC Championships is the highest level of tournament in Great Britain outside of The Championships at Wimbledon. American Madison Keys stunned the tennis world recently, winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open, as well as reaching a new career-best ranking of number six. Keys has had past success on the British grass courts, winning the Eastbourne tournament on two occasions, 2014 and 2023, as well as the WTA event in Birmingham in 2016. 'I can't wait for the HSBC Championships,' said Keys. 'Getting to compete there for the first time and experience playing at The Queen's Club is going to be such a special occasion. I love the grass court season, some of my favourite memories of my career have come when I won titles in Birmingham and Eastbourne. Katie Boulter, Britain's highest ranked women's player since June 2023, is setting her sights on her third grass court title on home soil after an impressive 2024, where she won two WTA titles, one at her home tournament in Nottingham, and saw her ranking rise to a career-high of No.23. 'I used to watch the tournament every year growing up so to be able to compete at such a wonderful, historic, and iconic event to commence the grass court season is an honour,' Boulter said. 'We have some of the best women's players in the world competing at Queens, and it takes the British grass court swing to a whole new level. To win that title as a British player would an absolute dream and I will do everything I can to get myself in that position. Let's make more history this summer.' Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open Champion and former world number 10 will be joining Boulter on the grass at the HSBC Championships. Raducanu enjoyed a strong return from injury on home soil last year, with deep runs to the semifinals at Nottingham and quarter finals at Eastbourne before reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon. Laura Robson, WTA HSBC Championships Tournament Director said: 'I'm thrilled to confirm Katie, Emma, Madison and Naomi will be headlining the HSBC Championships in June. Fans will see some of the best female players on the planet, and with three grand slam champions and the British number one in the mix, it promises to be a spectacular return to The Queen's Club for women's tennis." This year's HSBC Championships sees a brand-new concept of 16 days of world class tennis at The Queen's Club, starting with the WTA 500 event on June 7th, a week before the long-standing men's ATP event which has been such a staple of the pre-Wimbledon grass court season. The new grass court calendar introduced for 2025 is intended to maximise visibility for tennis, while expanding the reach and profile of women's tennis. For the first time, every tournament venue will feature both male and female events. A marketing campaign for the WTA 500 event has been released today featuring Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka and can be watched here. Tickets for the women's WTA 500 event at The Queen's Club are now on general sale via the LTA website and can be purchased from just £20. Tickets for the other LTA grass court events at Birmingham, Ilkely, Nottingham, and Eastbourne are now on sale to LTA Advantage members and will go on general sale on 23rd February.
