Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter are back in action at Queen’s Club today, this time on the same side of the net after both recorded singles wins yesterday.
The pair romped to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over China’s Xinyu Jiang and Fang-Hsien Wu of Taiwan in the first round on Monday, their first-ever outing as a doubles partnership and Raducanu’s first experience of doubles since 2022.
Both Brits were back on Tuesday to continue a promising start to the grass season with first-round singles wins: Raducanu made light work of Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa, while Boulter was made to toil in a three-set victory over Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.
The pair take on Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe at 12pm on Court One, with their opponents denying them an all-British affair by defeating Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage in the first round.
Follow all the tennis scores and latest action from Queen’s Club below.
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Emma Raducanu/Katie Boulter vs Lyudmyla Kichenok/Erin Routliffe LIVE
- British pairing earned their first doubles win on Monday
- Raducanu eased into the second round in singles with straight-sets win over Bucsa
- Boulter overcame Tomljanovic in three-set tussle on Tuesday
- Top seeds Kichenok and Routliffe seal first set 6-2
Kichenok/Routliffe win 6-2, 7-5
13:38
,
Flo Clifford
That’s the end of Boulter and Raducanu in doubles, but they’ll now be able to turn their full attention to their singles campaigns here at Queen’s. Both will be in action tomorrow.
Elsewhere at Queen’s, British doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls and her partner Tereza Mihalikova are a set down to Ellen Perez and Shuai Zhang, 7-5, with that match at 5-5 in the second set.
And Beatriz Haddad Maia has pulverised third seed Emma Navarro in the first set of their encounter; she leads 6-1 over on the Andy Murray Arena.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! *Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 5-7 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:35
,
Flo Clifford
But no such luck on the last, as Raducanu sends a forehand wide.
That’s the end of Boultercanu at Queen’s: a fun and at times brilliant partnership, but undone by the greater doubles nous and experience of the top seeds.
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 5-6 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:34
,
Flo Clifford
The next two are saved too, Routliffe firing wide on the return.
Still a deciding point to go...
MATCH POINTS! *Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 5-6 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:32
,
Flo Clifford
One saved as Raducanu whacks down an overhead smash.
MATCH POINTS! *Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 5-6 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:32
,
Flo Clifford
Raducanu serves to keep the Brits in this.
But the top seeds smell blood, almost literally: Routliffe apologises for a volley aimed straight at Boulter’s body, before hammering a Raducanu slice beyond the Brits.
Routliffe drop shots Boulter and the top seeds have three break, and match, points.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 5-6 Kichenok/Routliffe*
13:29
,
Flo Clifford
Routliffe is perplexed as a booming second serve down the T is called out. She went big, and it hasn’t paid off.
Better from the top seeds, though, as they dominate an aggressive rally and Kichenok blasts past Raducanu, before the Brit gets unlucky with another net cord, digging out a low ball but knocking it into the net.
‘Boultercanu’ have really found their feet in this set but after several brilliant digs, they run out of options in this rally and Kichenok seals the hold with a venomous volley past an outstretched Raducanu.
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 5-5 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:24
,
Flo Clifford
The Brits come out firing: fist pumps all round after a cute backhand volley by Raducanu, then a down the line winner from Boulter, get them on the board in this game.
The 22-year-old clings on at the net, almost playing pinball with Routliffe, before thumping a sharply-angled volley beyond the reach of Kichenok.
A swift and strong hold for Boulter.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 4-5 Kichenok/Routliffe*
13:21
,
Flo Clifford
The top seeds dig themselves out of a whole as Boulter sends a return looping long.
From one point away from serving for the set, now the Brits must serve to stay in this match.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 4-4 Kichenok/Routliffe*
13:20
,
Flo Clifford
Into the net goes Raducanu. Deciding point...
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 4-4 Kichenok/Routliffe*
13:19
,
Flo Clifford
Is the tide turning? Kichenok slams a forehand into the post before another double fault for 0-30.
And Routliffe, under pressure by Raducanu at the net, thumps a volley wide for three break points!
Raducanu sends a second serve return sailing long to save one. Routliffe wins the next net exchange. Still one more.
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 4-4 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:16
,
Flo Clifford
The top seeds look to get back on level terms with a crafty drop shot by Kichenok, on the run. The Ukrainian’s frustration is evident as a cross-court strike is called narowly out - but the top seeds continue to apply pressure as Routliffe gets incredibly lucky with a net cord, the ball seeming to ball along it before dropping onto Boultercanu’s side of the net.
A lovely forehand volley by Boulter, with Kichenok committed the wrong way, keeps the Brits in front, and the 28-year-old knocks in another putaway at the net to back up their break. Level in set two!
BREAK! Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 3-4 Kichenok/Routliffe*
13:10
,
Flo Clifford
Brilliant! Raducanu digs deep, peppering Routliffe from the baseline, and an immaculate lob drifts over the Kiwi’s head and drops just inside the back of the court!
A double fault by Routliffe brings up three break points for the Brits - and she nets!
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 2-4 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:07
,
Flo Clifford
Boulter gets a forehand all wrong, skewing wide, but Raducanu reacts well at the net to volley past Routliffe for game point. While the British pair have been somewhat outclassed today, they haven’t let their heads drop, and the big smiles are back as a Boulter ace keeps the deficit to a minimum.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 1-4 Kichenok/Routliffe*
13:04
,
Flo Clifford
A combination of brilliant serving and fast footwork - and hands - at the net back up the break. Routliffe and Kichenok look so at ease and are steamrolling towards a spot in the semi-finals.
BREAK! *Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 1-3 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:01
,
Flo Clifford
Oh dear. Raducanu puts way too much power on a high ball and blasts it way beyond the baseline, and that’s the break sealed for the top seeds.
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 1-2 Kichenok/Routliffe
13:00
,
Flo Clifford
The pressure is back on the Raducanu serve. A deft backhand down the line by Kichenok puts the top seeds on the front foot.
The Brit gets unlucky with a net cord, dashing to retrieve a drop volley, but sends it into the tape. Two break points...
A neat serve that the Ukrainian thumps into the net saves one of them - and a bold second serve, straight down the T, brings up deuce! Gutsy play.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 1-2 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:55
,
Flo Clifford
Routliffe rattles to a speedy hold to love of her own, another massive serve sealing it. They keep the scoreboard pressure on.
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 1-1 Kichenok/Routliffe
12:53
,
Flo Clifford
A much better service game by Boulter, with two huge unreturned serves, helps her to a swift hold to love. A good confidence boost for the British No 1.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-6, 0-1 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:51
,
Flo Clifford
A nice volleyed putaway by Boulter gives them a foothold in Kichenok’s service game. The British No 1 is looking a bit more confident with those shots now.
But an ace and a hefty serve that Raducanu can only wallop into the side of the court help the Ukrainian to another hold.
SECOND SET: Boulter/Raducanu 2-6 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:47
,
Flo Clifford
Away we go in set two. Can the Brits regroup?
GAME AND FIRST SET! *Boulter/Raducanu 2-6 Kichenok/Routliffe
12:45
,
Flo Clifford
Here we go, Raducanu serving to stay in the set.
The Brits are going for a slightly different tactic now, trying to match the top seeds with their net game. Boulter hammers down a volley at the net - almost to Routliffe’s feet - to get a point on the board, but thumps her next attempt into the tape.
Oh dear, a double fault by Raducanu brings up set point, and Kichenok pounces on a weak second serve with a forehand winner past Boulter.
All to do for the Brits in the second set.
Boulter/Raducanu 2-5 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:40
,
Flo Clifford
Well played by Boulter, matching Routliffe at the net and ultimately blasting her strike down the centre beyond the reach of either of her opponents.
But the top seeds get back on top with a wide serve from Routliffe and easy putaway at the net by Kichenok.
A sweet backhand winner by Boulter puts the pressure on at 40-30 - but another serve and volley combo sees the top seeds maintain their advantage.
*Boulter/Raducanu 2-4 Kichenok/Routliffe
12:36
,
Flo Clifford
Boulter has been having trouble with her serve this week, including in yesterday’s singles win over Ajla Tomljanovic, and has had a few aborted ball tosses so far today, but looks more in control of this game.
Routliffe gets the better of Raducanu in a tit-for-tat net exchange for 30-30.
A booming unreturnable serve brings up game point - and an ace seals Boulter’s first hold of the match! Big smiles from the Brits and warm applause from the crowd.
Boulter/Raducanu 1-4 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:32
,
Flo Clifford
Boulter and Raducanu move 0-30 up on Kichenok’s serve but have no answer yet to Routliffe’s tried-and-tested net smashes.
Raducanu is unlucky to drift narrowly wide with a backhand down the line for 30-30.
Boulter gives the No 1 seeds a taste of their own medicine with a classy forehand volley, with Routliffe committed the wrong way, for deuce - but there’s still daylight between the two teams as Kichenok holds thanks to another smash by her partner.
*Boulter/Raducanu 1-3 Kichenok/Routliffe
12:27
,
Flo Clifford
The No 1 seeds have no reply to a brilliant serve down the T by Raducanu.
Kichenok fires long on the next rally, but despite doing well to keep the ball in play, returning several smashes, ‘Boultercanu’ send the ball sailing out.
But a couple of errors from their opponents mean a first hold of this match for the British pair.
Boulter/Raducanu 0-3 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:21
,
Flo Clifford
What a point! The crowd show their appreciation as Raducanu and Boulter cling on in a rally, digging deep to send back every ball, with Boulter doing well to dig out a low shot and force their opponents to net.
So far Routliffe and Kichenok are employing the serve and volley to great effect, suffocating the Brits at the net. Kichenok slams away another one to back up their break.
BREAK! *Boulter/Raducanu 0-2 Kichenok/Routliffe
12:18
,
Flo Clifford
Kichenok and Routliffe are the top seeds at Queen’s and they’re already making life difficult for the Brits. Kichenok thumps a winner down the line for a 15-30 lead - and they have their own chance to break as Boulter double faults.
And they seal it as Routliffe blasts a smash down the centre to lead 2-0. The Brits have their work cut out here against an accomplished doubles pairing.
Boulter/Raducanu 0-1 Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:15
,
Flo Clifford
A couple of overhits by Routliffe and Kichenok hand the Brits a 0-30 lead in this first game.
A baseline volley by Boulter loops long, but the Brits are all smiles regardless, and a fabulous drive by Boulter down the centre of the court gives the Brits an early chance to break.
But the pair get in a mix-up at the back of the court, both going for a shot, and Routliffe puts away a volley for deuce!
Boulter thumps a return into the net and that’s the hold for Kichenok. A reminder that doubles here is played with no-ad serving, i.e. the point following a deuce decides the game.
Boulter/Raducanu vs Kichenok/Routliffe*
12:10
,
Flo Clifford
Underway on Court One! Kichenok to serve first.
Boulter/Raducanu vs Kichenok/Routliffe
12:03
,
Flo Clifford
The players are walking out on court and should be underway fairly shortly.
It’s an overcast day in west London, but fortunately dry, with a chance of the sun peeking out later. Both Brits are in long sleeves with their opponents much more tropically dressed!
Andy Murray cements legacy with return to Queen’s as tournament writes new chapter
11:56
,
Flo Clifford
In case you missed it, a certain legend of British tennis was on hand at the start of this week to inaugurate the first women’s tournament in more than half a century at Queen’s:
Two weeks on from Rafael Nadal’s triumphant return to Roland-Garros, another grand slam champion returned to the site of his greatest success.
Andy Murray’s return to Queen’s Club, where he won a record five titles, was much more low-key. There was no emotional speech, just some banter about his growing prowess at golf; a brief knockabout with tournament director and former doubles partner Laura Robson, and two youth ambassadors, 10-year-old Gloria and seven-year-old Jay, instead of a photo opportunity with the rest of the ‘Big Four’. “My tennis is diabolical nowadays,” he joked, “apologies for what you’re about to witness!”
“This tournament and this court has had many special moments for me,” he added. “It was my most successful event, I always loved coming back. I’m very grateful for whoever it was who decided to name the stadium!”
Queen’s hosts women’s tennis for first time in 52 years – with equal prize money on the horizon
11:50
,
Flo Clifford
For a venue steeped in pomp and splendour – an old-school members’ spot constantly eyeing ways to refresh – there is something new coming this week at Queen’s Club. For the first time in 52 years, the women take centre stage on the pristine grass courts in the high-flying west London neighbourhood.
The last time a women’s event was played at Queen’s, under the title of the 1973 London Grass Court Championships, Russian player Olga Morozova won the singles title. And a matter of months before she won the famous “Battle of the Sexes” contest against Bobby Riggs in Houston, which catapulted women’s tennis into the mainstream, Billie Jean King won the doubles at Queen’s alongside fellow American Rosie Casals.
Times have clearly changed, but the sprinkling of top-tier stardust has not. For tournament director Laura Robson, the former world No 27 and Wimbledon junior champion, attracting the biggest names in the game was a process which started last year. Australian Open champion and close friend Madison Keys has clearly spread the word, with 10 of the world’s top-20 signing up to play.
British number one Katie Boulter edges past Ajla Tomljanovic at Queen’s
11:43
,
Flo Clifford
Boulter had a tougher day of it yesterday but made it four Brits into the second round, after wins for Sonay Kartal and Heather Watson earlier.
The British No 1 battled through her grass court singles season opener to claim a 7-6 (4) 1-6 6-4 victory over Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic.
Emma Raducanu cruises to first-round win at Queen’s – but greater test lies ahead
11:36
,
Flo Clifford
Emma Raducanu got her singles campaign underway yesterday with a straightforward win over Cristina Bucsa. Here’s what Kieran Jackson had to say on the encounter:
As starts to the British summer go, it doesn’t get much better than an hour in-and-out under the west London sun. Refreshed and rejuvenated after a two-week break following the French Open – and a thrashing at the hands of Iga Swiatek – Emma Raducanu has all her sights set on a prosperous month with the pristine grass under her feet. And here at Queen’s Club, sporting a claret outfit, she did not let slip a purple patch on court.
Will there be bigger tests than world No 112 Cristina Bucsa? Of course. A fortuitous draw still needs capitalising on, though, and Raducanu excelled and looked supremely at home in a 6-1, 6-2 demolition job. Yet, most strikingly of all, in a year which included a horrendous stalking ordeal, was how much she seemed to enjoy the limelight once again.
Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and a journey into the unknown: ‘We’re going for the Wimbledon title’
11:30
,
Flo Clifford
Boulter and Raducanu’s doubles partnership - Boultercanu, perhaps? - got off to a flying start with an impressive win in the first round on Monday. Here’s a run-down of what happened:
Spectators had been queuing for an hour outside Court One in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu. One immaculately-dressed lady, a parody of Queen’s genteel West Kensington surroundings, complained that she had bought tickets for the Andy Murray Arena in the expectation that Britain's top two female singles players would be in action there, and seemed baffled that she couldn’t access the smaller court they had in fact been assigned.
Those who had secured tickets for the small, intimate Court One enjoyed the sight of a fired-up Raducanu and Boulter securing their first win of the grass-court season, and their first as a somewhat surprising doubles pairing. The pair beat doubles specialists Xinyu Jiang of China and Fang-Hsien Wu of Taiwan 6-4, 6-2, in a match that was a fascinating insight into both players’ attitude at the start of the swing.
How to watch
11:23
,
Flo Clifford
Viewers in the UK can watch main court action at Queen’s, on the Andy Murray Arena, on the BBC, with coverage running from 1pm on BBC Two.
The action will also be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button or BBC Sport.
Only matches on Andy Murray Arena are televised by the BBC, meaning Raducanu and Boulter’s doubles match on Court One will not be streamed live.
The women’s tournament runs from Monday, 9 June to Sunday, 16 June, with the men’s tournament running the following week.
Today's order of play
11:17
,
Flo Clifford
Over on Andy Murray Arena, third seed Emma Navarro takes on Beatriz Haddad Maia at 1pm, with Britain’s No 3 Sonay Kartal facing eighth seed Amanda Anisimova after that match concludes.
The final singles match of the day will see qualifier Anastasia Zakharova - who upset defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round - play Australian Open champion and second seed Madison Keys.
Today's order of play
11:12
,
Flo Clifford
Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter take on Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe at 12pm on Court One, the first match today.
They are followed by sixth seed Karolina Muchova against Tatjana Maria, with another doubles match on after that: Cristina Bucsa and Beatriz Haddad Maia against the Kazakh pair of Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina.
There’s another Brit in action in doubles too: specialist Olivia Nicholls and partner Tereza Mihalikova play Ellen Perez and Shuai Zhang first up on court five, from 12pm.
Good morning
11:05
,
Flo Clifford
Hello and welcome to day three at Queen’s Club!
Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter kick off the action with the first match of the day in their second-round doubles match, beginning at 12pm.
Later on, Sonay Kartal will bid to earn another top-20 scalp after defeating Daria Kasatkina on Monday: she takes on Amanda Anisimova later this afternoon.