It has been seven months since Emma Raducanu led Great Britain to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Since then, she has experienced a rollercoaster ride, marked by her gradual ascent up the rankings and the recurring challenges of injuries. This week, she arrived in Malaga at a different stage in her career. As she stood at the baseline on Friday evening, the question of how much rust she had accumulated after a two-month hiatus loomed large. Two hours later, Raducanu left the court having navigated the pressure with ease, setting a high standard for her team with a solid, professional performance. Britain's 2-0 victory over Germany propelled them to the quarter-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup.
Raducanu's composure was evident as she sealed a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jule Niemeier in a tense final set. Following her lead, British No. 1 Katie Boulter continued her impressive form, delivering a spectacular performance to defeat Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-2. The British team is set to face Canada, the reigning champions, on Sunday.
"I am a very proud captain. It was a fantastic performance from Emma and Katie," said Anne Keothavong, the captain. "Emma's return after a break was handled very well, and Katie's start was impeccable. I couldn't be more proud of both of them and the entire team. We know we have Canada next. We are aiming for the win."
From the outset, the British expat community in Malaga made their support known in the 3,564-capacity temporary stadium, which quickly filled to over three-quarters full. Armed with trumpets and tambourines, they provided sustained encouragement as Raducanu adjusted to her opponent, Niemeier, a formidable server who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2022. Despite Niemeier's strong serve, Raducanu dominated in neutral rallies, hitting deep and penetrating shots that forced her opponent to work hard for each point. Her patience paid off at 3-3 when Niemeier's sloppy play led to a missed first serve on break point. Raducanu capitalized on the second serve, delivering a winning forehand return to secure the break.
Raducanu's serve, though marred by double faults, was a significant asset. Down 0-40 in the next game, she saved four break points primarily through her solid serving, which she maintained until the end of the match. Raducanu finished with 10 aces, and her average serve speeds reached 104mph and 93mph, significantly higher than her usual numbers. With the first set secured, Raducanu's confidence soared as Niemeier struggled with errors. However, Raducanu's lack of recent match practice showed when she served for the match at 5-2, finding herself at 5-4 after squandering four match points. She eventually closed out the win, improving her record in the competition to 4-1.
"Physically, I felt quite good, especially considering how long it's been since my last match," said Raducanu. "It was a good test, and I think I passed it. I'm pleased with how I managed my nerves. I've been working on my serve in practice, and it showed in parts, but there's still room for improvement. I'm looking forward to analyzing this match and working on those areas in my pre-season for next year."
In the second match, Boulter arrived in Malaga after a challenging seven-week stint in Asia, where she had to overcome a rough patch before regaining her form in the final two weeks. Her confidence was palpable on Friday night. After losing her serve in the opening game, Boulter dominated her veteran opponent, sealing an impressive victory.
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