Emma Raducanu was the star of the British team at the 2024 BJK Cup qualifiers. Fighting for a place in the Finals scheduled in November, the Britons were up against team France. With the match scheduled on the clay courts of Le Chaudron in Le Portel, the crowd support was certainly in favor of France.
But Raducanu and Co. ensured an early wrap to the proceedings. Despite Diane Parry smashing Katie Boulter in straight-sets, it was the only win for France. Raducanu defeated Caroline Garcia in over three sets while Boulter got back on the scoreboard by defeating Clara Burel.
The former US Open champ then took on Parry and came back from a set down to win in the third set tiebreaker. The win ensured Britain had an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie. As a result, the doubles clash wasn’t required as France was dumped into the play-offs while Britain reached the Finals.
Following the win, Raducanu was elated with her performance. She sounded confident for the first time in a while despite her current rank being 303 in the world.
Yeah. I'm playing really good tennis. I'm more dominant in my service games. I knew it before I went to Fed Cup even, I was playing really well. I think everyone I was practicing with can attest to that. said Emma Raducanu, in her post-match press conference.
Britain reaches the Finals solely on their merit for the first time since the latest format was introduced. They did make the semis in 2022 but had received a wildcard making this win extra special. Many critics are already calling the win over France one of the greatest wins by a British team at the BJK Cup.
The eights teams to qualify to November's #BJKCup Finals in Seville
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) April 14, 2024
Poland
Great Britain
Romania
Germany
USA
Japan
Slovakia
Australia
They will meet 2023 Champions Canada, 2023 runners up Italy, Czechia (WC) & Spain (Host Nation) pic.twitter.com/MHWNroxESr
Raducanu had to quickly make the trip to Germany for participating in the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. One of the brand ambassadors of the luxury and sports car brand, she was awarded a wildcard despite her ranking outside the Top-300.
She carried the momentum from the BJK Cup and secured a smashing 6-2, 6-1 win over home favorite Angelique Kerber. She made her tournament debut in 2022 and reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champ Iga Swiatek. Last year, she suffered a straight-set defeat in the first round.
She now has won three consecutive matches for the first time since the 2023 Indian Wells Open where she made the fourth round. She was again defeated by Swiatek who stopped her from reaching the quarter-finals at the WTA-1000 event.
The former World No. 10 will now take on Linda Noskova in the second round. The Czech defeated Jelena Ostapenko in straight-sets to make the second round. Raducanu currently leads the head-to-head against Noskova 1-0 owing to her first-round win in the 2022 French Open.
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