Emma Raducanu’s quarter-final loss to Zheng Qinwen at the Queens Club Championship means that there are no British left in the tournament they go to the final weekend.
The 22-year-old came first in the UK by booking a place in the quarter-finals, but did not match Olympic champion Zheng, who won 6-2, 6-4 on Friday.
In a funny fight at Andy Murray Arena, Zheng showed that when she made the first semi-finals in Grass, she could be a worthy contender to head to Wimbledon.
Zheng won a single title on Clay and hardcourt, but she is still adapting to the grass. The 22-year-old has shown significant improvements in his match against Radkanu after changing shoes midway through the game the British were serving.
“I want to apologise for the shoes. I didn’t want to beat them twice, but I don’t know how to run on the grass,” Zheng said like a sheep.
“I don’t know yet when I’ll have to change my grass shoes. I think it’s time, so I’m new shoes. I feel much better running.
“It was a really difficult match for me, especially since (especially) she has more experience than me in lawn courtrooms. I’m really happy to be able to enter the semi-finals for the first time with Grass.”
Zheng and Raducanu were neck and neck in the opening set until China’s fifth place in the world finally made it to 4-2.
The home crowd was highly supportive of Radukanu, but Zheng did not shake, and she insisted on the opening set despite falling to the set point.
Raducanu took a medical timeout due to back issues before the second set, rocking Britton’s path when it secured a double break to go 3-0.
However, Zheng quickly recovered and recovered the set, then rose 5-4 with an overhead smash that kissed the line.
To stay in the match, Radukanu produced a double obstacle, giving Zheng three match points, saving before the top seed won.
This report uses information from Reuters.