Emma Raducanu ran out of steam in the final of the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club as the British No 1’s bid for a first title since the 2021 US Open ended in a 6-0 7-6 (8-6) defeat to lucky loser Donna Vekic.
Raducanu needed to win two matches on the same day on Saturday to reach just her third career final, and was forced to battle through an injury scare after slipping on the grass during her quarter-final win over Kamilla Rakhimova.
A day later, Raducanu emerged onto court with a patch of tape on her left thigh and appeared under-powered as the former Wimbledon semi-finalist Vekic surged to the opening set without dropping a game in just 28 minutes.
Raducanu, though, produced a spirited response and found energy from the crowd as she led Vekic by a double-break in the second set. The Briton twice served for the set, and had two set points to force a decider, but Vekic managed to hold on.
The tiebreak was tight, but Vekic produced brave play and directed several winners onto the lines to convert her fifth Championship point and seal her first title since 2023.
Follow live updates from Raducanu v Vekic in the Queen’s final, below
Read MoreEmma Raducanu makes British tennis history with successful double duty at Queen’s
The moment Serena Williams sparked a gentle tennis comeback into life
Wimbledon reveals record increase in prize money in bid to prevent player revolt
Queen’s LIVE: Latest updates as Emma Raducanu plays in final
- Emma Raducanu beaten by Donna Vekic in Queen’s final after spirited fightback
- Raducanu loses thrilling tiebreak as Vekic converts fifth Championship point
- British No 1 lost first set 6-0 to former Wimbledon semi-finalist Vekic
- Raducanu started match wearing strapping on inner thigh after slip
- Raducanu won two matches on Saturday to reach third career final
- Raducanu's only title came as 18-year-old qualifier at US Open in 2021
Emma Raducanu 'proud' of efforts at Queen's
16:34 , Jamie Braidwood“I think the performances I had this week, I played really well. I was able to play and dictate, and that's something I wasn't able to do today.
“I managed to get myself back into the second set, and I'm proud of how I fought. That's not something that in the past years I have always done, so that's a positive.
“I haven't really played much this season, but to think I have made two finals so far, which I haven't done in years, it has to be kind of, in a way, celebrated. It's a good achievement for me and I'm proud of it.
“Right now it obviously really stings so I'm just going to try and let myself feel it today but try and get over it pretty quick.”
Donna Vekic congratulates Emma Raducanu on 'great week'
16:09 , Jamie BraidwoodQueen’s champion Donna Vekic in her winner’s speech:
"Wow, first of all congrats Emma on such a great week. You are such an incredible player and I wish you and your team all of the best for the remainder of the grass season.
"Growing up and watching the tour I was always jealous of the boys having a chance to play at this amazing club [the women’s tournament was not played at Queen’s between 1974 and 2024].
"I am very grateful that since last year we have had the opportunity to play here as well. Thank you to everyone who made this happen, we really enjoy it."
Emma Raducanu fades after epic second set
15:55 , Jamie BraidwoodThe second set was 80 minutes long - an epic.
It had twists and turns with Raducanu playing some inspired tennis - after a tough opener - to lead by a double break but Vekic’s response was assured and she twice held on when her oppponent served for the match.
The tiebreak could have gone either way. Vekic hit the line on 6-6. It was that close, inches.
Donna Vekic: From lucky loser to Queen's champion
15:38 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat a week, too, for Donna Vekic. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist wins her first title since 2023. She lost in qualifying, and only entered the draw when Marta Kostyuk pulled out due to injury on the eve of the tournament. She is super dangerous on grass and is a threat ahead of Wimbledon, that’s for sure. There are fireworks above Queen’s Club as she collects the trophy.
Emma Raducanu collects runners-up trophy
15:36 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s still been a wonderful week for Emma Raducanu. She battled rain, tough opponents, an injury scare, and found some joy and excellent tennis on the grass. A good sign for Wimbledon, for sure.
“What a week. It’s been incredible reaching the final at my home tournament. The support I’ve received has been incredible, especially today. Donna played an exceptional match. Thanks for helping me push back in the first set.”
Emma Raducanu beaten by Donna Vekic in Queen’s final after spirited fightback
15:33 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter a tough opening set for Emma Raducanu, that was a commendable fightback. She had chances to take it to the decider, serving for the second set twice, but you suspect she ran out of steam after playing two matches yesterday.
Donna Vekic raised her level, fighting back from 5-2 down in the second, and playing bravely in the tiebreak. She resisted the home crowd, converting her fifth match point.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 6-7 (6-8) Donna Vekic
15:29 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother line for Vekic in the tiebreak! The backhand winner lands in, just, and Raducanu can’t believe it.
Another Championship point, the fifth.
Raducanu hits out after a tense rally. It’s over! Vekic wins a thrilling tiebreak.
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 6-6 (6-6) Donna Vekic
15:27 , Jamie BraidwoodGutsy point from Raducanu! She stays close to the lines, flirting with danger. Vekic nets. 5-5.
That’s huge from Vekic, though. Power an d accuracy to the corners. Raducanu blocks out.
A fourth Championship point for Vekic, and on serve. She takes her time, takes a deep breath.
And Raducanu saves another! She finds depth on the return, then on the forehand.
Vekic nets! 6-6!
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 6-6 (4-5) Donna Vekic
15:24 , Jamie BraidwoodVekic looked like she might wriggle out of the point but Raducanu stays cool to put away the volley at the net.
Two points on serve from Vekic would bring more Championship points. But Vekic double-faults! She catches the net-tape and it lands out!
Suddenly it’s back at 4-4. Raducanu was in the point but puts the forehand long. Vekic remains ahead, but it’s on serve.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 6-6 (2-4) Donna Vekic
15:21 , Jamie BraidwoodAn ace from Raducanu. She’s only a mini-break down....
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 6-6 (1-4) Donna Vekic
15:20 , Jamie BraidwoodBig servers do well in tiebreaks... Vekic cracks an ace on the first point, catching the outside of the line. Vekic then switches it up. Drop shot, followed by backhand line. It catches the paint again! Raducanu can’t believe it.
Vekic has raised her level. She stretches Raducanu wide with a series of fine backhands. Raducanu nets. Vekic advances into the net and puts away the smash to take a 4-1 lead.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 6-6 Donna Vekic
15:16 , Jamie BraidwoodVekic produces the forehand pass as Raducanu was caught in mid-court. A third Championship point but Raducanu steps in to save with the forehand winner!
Now Vekic nets and Raducanu clenches her fist as she attempts to escape and make it to the tiebreak. Oh it was there! Raducanu had a volley at the net but couldn’t adjust her hands in time!
Vekic goes long and then Raducanu produces a superb angled backhand! Vekic hits out and Raducanu stays alive to get to the tiebreak!
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-6 Donna Vekic
15:12 , Jamie BraidwoodA blow for Raducanu as Vekic outlasts her on the baseline exchange. Raducanu slumps as she puts the backhand into the net. Vekic then produces the forehand down the line, with Raducanu in trouble and Vekic two points from victory at 15-30.
Raducanu goes long on the forehand! That’s a bad miss. Two Championship points for Vekic.
Raducanu saves the first with a forehand winner. She’ll need another. Wow! Vekic cracks the forehand return into the net. What a relief.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-6 Donna Vekic
15:07 , Jamie BraidwoodThere’s a sense the momentum of this final has switched again and now Raducanu needs another response. Vekic, down a double-break in this second set, has now won four games in a row to lead.
Now Raducanu must hold serve to stay alive.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-5 Donna Vekic*
15:03 , Jamie BraidwoodSuperb from Vekic! She goes short with the drop shot then finds a lovely touch on the angled forehand. Break point. Raducanu goes for the drop shot, but it lands out!
Vekic breaks!
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-4 Donna Vekic*
15:02 , Jamie BraidwoodWow! A tough point on 15-15, with Vekic scrambling on defence and hanging up a tricky lob, finishes with Raducanu leaping to her left and putting away the backhand pass.
She raises her arms and stands two points from the set. Vekic raises the level and thumps the forehand down the line to get to 30-30. It feels pivotal that Raducanu wins this game.
She can’t find the first serve but the backhand crosscourt is low and tricky and Vekic nets. The crowd risis and Raducanu has set point.
A forehand catches the tape and Vekic is able to find the line on the forehand winner, bringing us back to deuce.
Raducanu plays the wide serve and a clever forehand where Vekic had been. She brings up a second set point. A backhand lob from Vekic saves it again!
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-4 Donna Vekic
14:53 , Jamie BraidwoodThe alarm bells would have been flashing for Vekic as she faced 0-30 but the 29-year-old plays three superb points in a row to get to game point. She then finds the line on the forehand winner.
Her level is getting back to where it was in the first set... can Raducanu close it out this time?
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-3 Donna Vekic*
14:49 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu goes long and then is unable to find the volley at the net as Vekic digs in and brings up three break points at 0-40.
Raducanu saves the first two, the second with a backhand winner down the line. this would be some way to win the second set...
Vekic nets on the wide serve and Raducanu gets back to deuce. The Croatian then plays an excellent point on deuce to fire the forehand winner.
And she takes the break on the fourth opportunity. Raducanu, off balance, hits long of the baseline.
She’s still got an insurance break...
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 5-2 Donna Vekic
14:43 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu’s return has come alive and she is finding a way to produce depth to the back of the court. On 30-30, she moves in and puts away the backhand volley at the second attempt. Break point, as Raducanu looks to plug into the energy of the crowd: another unforced error from Vekic!
Raducanu breaks and will serve for the set!
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 4-2 Donna Vekic*
14:37 , Jamie BraidwoodVekic looks as if she’s running out of ideas! Raducanu is bringing variety to the points, puzzling Vekic with the drop shot and then swarming the net to put away the volley. Vekic nets and takes a long look at the net after it catches the tape but drops on her side.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 3-2 Donna Vekic
14:33 , Jamie BraidwoodVekic holds with a massive ace down the middle. Her serve, and game, disappeared as Raducanu got the crowd into it. She will be determined to not let this slip.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 3-1 Donna Vekic*
14:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThat feels a big game. Vekic got to 15-30 but Raducanu found a backhand winner down the line and produced another huge “come on!”
Vekic hits out, then catches the tape and the ball bounces out. Raducanu holds and asks her teams for “more energy”. She senses this is a different match now.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 2-1 Donna Vekic
14:25 , Jamie BraidwoodA chance for Raducanu! As if roared on by the crowd, a big net-cord lands on Vekic’s side. Then Vekic hits out. Sensing her chance, Raducanu moves in on a short ball and brings up two break points by putting the forehand away.
Vekic finds a big serve out wide on the first, with Raducanu pushing long. On the second, Vekic goes short but the drop shot is not a good one. Raducanu gets to the ball but again pushes long! That was a big opportunity.
But Raducanu makes the third chance count! After winning a baseline exchange, Raducanu digs in and Vekic nets on the backhand. The mood has flipped - Raducanu, playing with energy now, breaks to lead the second set.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 1-1 Donna Vekic*
14:19 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Andy Murray Arena erupts as Raducanu gets on the board! Can that give Raducanu some energy? She immediately looks up with renewed alertness, smiling to the crowd and attempting to pump herself up.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-6 0-1 Donna Vekic
14:15 , Jamie BraidwoodDonna Vekic, on the other hand, needed just 66 minutes to beat Katie Boulter in her semi-final yesterday, so came into the final much fresher. The 29-year-old wins a seventh consecutive game to start the second set.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 Donna Vekic*
14:13 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu played for one hour and 54 minutes against Kamilla Rakhimova in the quarter-final yesterday. Then, she came out and played for one hour and 30 minutes in the semi-final against Iva Jovic. After slipping on the grass and hurting her left leg against Rakhimova, Raducanu got through thanks to the adrenaline of the match: but she’s come out today looking very flat and out of gas.
Still, we start fresh in the second set.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-6 Donna Vekic*
14:10 , Jamie BraidwoodVekic plays a crafty drop shot that Raducanu couldn’t get up to. The Briton then looks to her box for answers as the struggles on serve continue. She’s unable to generate power on the backhand and Vekic brings up set point.
Raducanu comes into the net but Vekic produces a stunning backhand pass down the line.
Vekic breaks, and wins the first set.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-5 Donna Vekic
14:06 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu had the trainer on court during the change of ends, assessing her left leg. Clearly, something is not right. The giant strapping on her left leg was enough of a clue but that has now been removed by the physio.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-5 Donna Vekic
14:03 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is the third final Raducanu has played in her career and second this year, but that was a difficult occasion. She lost 6-0, 6-2 to Sorana Cirstea in just 63 minutes at the WTA 250 event in Cluj, Romania.
Vekic shakes off a double-fault, firing another winner - this one a forehand off her back foot. But Raducanu gets to deuce as she strikes a forehand return winner, scorching into the corner.
Raducanu is battling hard in this game, as Vekic sends her chasing. But she gets through the longest game of the match so far but she holds to win a fifth in a row.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-4 Donna Vekic*
13:55 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu pauses as the crowd try to encourage her following a backhand slice into the net. She finds a first serve but Vekic is able to work her way into the point and Raducanu finds the net on the backhand.
She battles back to 30-30 but still the struggles on serve continue: a double fault brings up break point and Vekic puts the backhand winner away down the line.
Another Vekic break.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-3 Donna Vekic
13:50 , Jamie BraidwoodVekic holds to 15, with a big serve and forehand winner finishing the game. Raducanu is a little flat, as is the crowd. Vekic has taken charge, looking to finish the points early.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-2 Donna Vekic*
13:47 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu is looking a little underpowered on serve. Perhaps as a result of the strapping on her leg? The adrenaline of yesterday will have worn off by now.
Vekic blasts a backhand winner against the serve to bring up two break points. Raducanu catches the tape and Vekic powers the forehand winner.
Vekic breaks.
Queen's final: *Emma Raducanu 0-1 Donna Vekic
13:42 , Jamie BraidwoodThis final is probably a match-up between the best server of the week and the best returner. Vekic is tall, with long levers, so generates effortless power on the serve. Raducanu’s been going big on the returns and has more breaks of serve than anyone this week.
Vekic’s first-serve percentage will be crucial, with Raducanu likely to target any second serve. The Croatian holds to 15.
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-0 Donna Vekic*
13:39 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu has a patch of strapping on the inner part of her left thigh, following her slip in the quarter-finals. Something to watch out for.
Vekic wins the toss and chooses to serve.
Emma Raducanu faces another test after 'physical challenge' of two matches in one day
13:34 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu will be facing another test of her physicality today as she enters the final following two wins on Saturday. How her body holds up today after such a big effort could be decisive.
“Having to play two matches was a real physical challenge,” she said on Saturday, “and I'm really proud how I kind of overcame that with the help of my team.”
Queen's final: Emma Raducanu 0-0 Donna Vekic
13:33 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we go! There are home roars for Emma Raducanu as she follows Donna Vekic out onto court at the Andy Murray Arena. Not for the first time this week, the main show court is packed. Full to the brim with 7,000 fans supporting the British No 1 in the final.
Emma Raducanu into Queen's final but with eye on Wimbledon
13:26 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu’s form during Queen’s is hugely encouraging before Wimbledon.
Her results this week also mean that she is likely to be seeded for Wimbledon. Raducanu has jumped 11 places in the live rankings, to 31 in the world.
If she wins the Queen’s title, Raducanu can rise a further couple of spots to 29, which should guarantee a seeded spot in the Wimbledon draw next week.
Queen's final: The sun is out and here to stay
13:23 , Jamie BraidwoodRain wrecked the week’s schedule at Queen’s and caused havoc for the players, with Raducanu’s second-round match washed out on Thursday and forcing her to win two matches in a row on Saturday to get through to the final.
The good news, though, is the sun is out for the final. It’s warm, with a slight breeze, so nice conditions for the final.
Emma Raducanu into third career final and second this season
13:17 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu’s first ever final was at the US Open where she defeated Leylah Fernandez at the age of 18 to became the first player to win a grand slam title from qualifuing.
Since then, she’s just reached one semi-final at WTA 500 level. That was in Washington last summer.
But Raducanu did reach a final earlier this season, getting through to the final at the WTA 250 event in Cluj, Romania.
Raducanu lost 6-0, 6-2 to Sorana Cirstea in just 63 minutes. Raducanu, however, defeated Cirstea on her road to the final this week.
Donna Vekic: Who is Emma Raducanu's Queens final opponent?
13:06 , Jamie BraidwoodDonna Vekic is a former Wimbledon semi-finalist and Olympic silver medallist. Both those results were secured during an impressive 2024 season, before a more difficult 2025 where she fell to 72 in the world.
Vekic is actually only in the draw because Marta Kostyuk pulled out due to injury. The Croatian entered as a lucky loser but has won four matches in a row, including against Britain’s Katie Boulter in the semi-finals.
Emma Raducanu on her form after coach Andrew Richardson: 'I'm back and better'
12:53 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu returning to a final has come just weeks after she reunited with coach Andrew Richardson, who was by her side for that memorable US Open victory in 2021.
“ I think it's great to have him back. I think we have been working on this game style. The whole week I have been playing really, really good tennis and the brand of tennis that I really want to play.
“I wouldn't say it's necessarily the old Emma. I think it's the new Emma, because you take all the lessons and experience, all the different ups and downs, and you take everything. You understand a lot more what's going on and what works for you.
“I’d say I'm back, and better.
“I think I'm playing really good. I think the lessons would probably be to be my most athletic self. My personality, I think it's clear this week that I had a lot of fun on the court. When I'm smiling and enjoying it, that's when I feel the best level can kind of flow out from there, rather than trying to put me in any type of mold.
“So I think that's what Andrew and the rest of the team does such a great job of is they just create a space where they allow me to be myself, and I think seeing that come through this week has been great reinforcement of what we have been doing.”
Emma Raducanu 'still has to assess' leg after slip on grass
12:34 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu said after her semi-final win against Iva Jovic that she would still have to “assess”her leg after that slip in her quarter-final against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova.
“I think it's amazing what adrenaline and support can do, and the mind as well,” Raducanu said after beating Iva Jovic.
“So right now I still have to kind of assess, but yeah, I know we're going to do everything we possibly can for one more tomorrow.”
Emma Raducanu battles into Queen’s final despite injury scare
12:12 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu shrugged off a “tough” injury scare as she battled through her Queen’s quarter-final against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova.
Raducanu’s win over was briefly interrupted by the King’s birthday flypast and also by a medical timeout when she was up a set and a break in the second set and slipped on the grass, which has caused problems for several players this week, with Canada’s Victoria Mboko out for the rest of the grass-court season after falling earlier this week.
Raducanu returned to the court with strapping on her left thigh, which she later removed, and initially struggled to shake off the fear and nerves of slipping again.
Emma Raducanu battles into Queen’s semi-finals despite injury scare
Emma Raducanu returns to form with two top-20 victories
11:51 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter going two months without a win, Emma Raducanu has won four in a row this week.
Two of those wins have been against top-20 opponents, in Sorana Cirstea and Iva Jovic, who was dispatched 6-2 6-2 by Raducanu last night in what was her second match of a memorable day.
Before beating Cirstea, Raducanu was without a top-20 win in over a year. She now has two in a week.
Emma Raducanu thanks team after getting through 'tough moments'
11:05 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter a difficult season, Emma Raducanu has found suddenly serious form since returning to the grass. Before Queen’s, Raducanu was without a win in two months and lost her only two matches of the clay-court season after struggling with post-viral symptoms.
After being Iva Jovic in the semi-finals, it was telling Raducanu thanked her team for sticking with her through “tough moments” in the last few months.
"It means everything to be doing this here at Queen's," she said. "The whole day has been electric. This week has been incredible, I really enjoy playing here and that shows in my tennis.
"Ask any British player and they would love to lift the title here. We've been through some tough moments in the last few months but we have been putting in the hard work and I want to thank my team for helping me get into the final."
Good morning and welcome
11:00 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu aims to win the second title of her career and first since lifting the US Open five years ago as the British No 1 faces Donna Vekic in the final of the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club.
Raducanu won two matches in one day on Saturday to reach only her third career final on home soil in west London. She battled through an injury scare during her quarter-final win before producing an impressive performance to beat Iva Jovic 6-2 6-2.
The final at Queen’s will be underway from 1:30pm BST in west London.
