Raducanu books DC Open semis berth with Sakkari romp

Britain's Emma Raducanu defeated Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-4, 7-5 to reach the semifinals of the ATP/WTA DC Open on Friday. It's her first WTA Tour-level semifinal in more than a year and her first on hardcourts in three years.

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In her third appearance in the nation's capital, Raducanu took one step further than she did in 2022 and 2024. Her quarterfinal record improves to 3-9 and her career mark against Sakkari climbs to 4-0, reported WTA.

On the tournament's hottest day so far--the temperature hovered in the middle 90s but it felt close to 100 -- it was Sakkari who got out of the blocks the fastest. Thanks to two double faults by Raducanu, she forged to a 2-0 lead.

Raducanu won the next three games, and they were level at 4-4 when Raducanu scored the decisive break with a deft, sharply angled backhand return. She served it out, converting her second set point.