The hot conditions of DC only got more heat when Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina showed up in the Citi Open. Although the two were not considered contenders initially, given their newfound partnership and limited doubles experience, their wins showcased a different outcome. They first toppled Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi 7-6, 6-4 in the QFs with their razor-sharp serves and crisp net play. But their SF against the second seed Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai had their singles matches come in the way in an uncommon manner.

The Brit, you see, has had her eyes on both the singles and doubles awards. She beat her QF singles opponent, Maria Sakkari, with 6-4, 7-5 straight sets to keep her singles hopes up. On the other hand, Raducanu’s Kazakhstani teammate, Elena Rybakina, also got the better of her QF opponent in Magdalena Frech in 6-3, 6-3 sets to reach the semis. Their doubles pairing also showcased their prime selves, but then came in between the experience that Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai brought.

The semifinal clash began with Rybakina and Emma Raducanu striking first, holding their opening service game and appearing ready to challenge the seasoned duo of Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai. Yet experience soon spoke louder than early sparks. Townsend and Zhang held serve with authority, broke twice in succession, and raced ahead 4-1. However, with the singles competition being their primary aim to be at the Citi Open, the two made a call that puts their double-trophy-win dream at a permanent halt.

The Tennis Letter tweeted, “Elena Rybakina and Emma Raducanu retire from their doubles SF against Townsend & Zhang in Washington. Not super surprising, considering both are still in the SF of singles & Emma had a tough match in the heat today. It was a fun ride, Rybacanu. ❤️,”

Clearly, Raducanu and Rybakina recognized the physical toll and the uphill battle required to win the game. Considering the ‘what ifs’ of the situation, they made the calculated decision to retire. Ultimately, they chose to conserve their energy for crucial singles semifinals scheduled the very next day.

Their short-lived doubles run had already turned heads. Initially, many were surprised when the pair entered the draw, but they proved their intent immediately, rallying from a set down to defeat Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls 2-6, 7-6(7), 11-9 in a dramatic super tie-break. They followed that grit with a more composed quarterfinal performance, taking down specialists Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi, evidence that their partnership was evolving fast.

The schedule, however, showed no mercy. Earlier that day, both Rybakina and Raducanu had fought through taxing singles matches, with Rybakina stepping off the court barely an hour before the doubles semifinal began. Fatigue shadowed them, while across the net stood two doubles powerhouses, Townsend, ranked No. 2, and Zhang, a former Grand Slam champion, both riding the momentum of a tight win over Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste.

Now freed from the doubles grind, Raducanu’s focus narrows. Emma Raducanu’s Citi Open campaign is a quiet mission for the big win ahead.

Emma Raducanu’s Citi Open spark ignites US Open mission

Emma Raducanu has already contested 32 matches this season per WTA, winning 18, a number that reflects both her growing consistency and her renewed fight. At the Citi Open, she has been reminded of her current surge.

The 2021 US Open champion, now firmly back in the spotlight, was asked about her expectations for the upcoming US Open swing. Her response carried both relief and determination. “It sounds great when you say that. It’s been a lot of hard work, a long time struggling. I’m just really pleased to kind of pick up this form, this momentum, this confidence.”

That momentum is shaping more than just her singles run. Emma will also join forces with Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles draw. She explained her approach, “It takes some pressure off the result, so then that’s when the results come, it’s kind of ironic. So, I’m really pleased, and I guess my goal is to keep enjoying each day and winning as many as possible and creating the streak that I was kind of talking about, but yeah, obviously ranking-wise…”

In Washington, her progress has been undeniable. Raducanu booked her first-ever Citi Open SF berth in the win over Maria Sakkari, a battle that tested her patience, footwork, and mental steel. It wasn’t smooth sailing but proved she could endure pressure rather than simply ride momentum.

Now, standing between her and the final is Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya, 26, and seasoned. The question hangs sharp: can Raducanu’s rising confidence cut through Kalinskaya’s experience and carry her one step closer to another title run?