Raducanu storms past Bucsa 6-1, 6-2 at Queen’s, keeping hopes alive for Wimbledon seeding boost.
Emma Raducanu opened her grass court season with a commanding performance, cruising past Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour at Queen’s Club. Under the bright west London sun, the 22-year-old Brit looked sharp, confident, and firmly in control as she dismantled her first-round opponent.
With her claret outfit gleaming under the summer sky, Raducanu seemed completely at home on the pristine grass. Having taken a two-week break after a sobering defeat to world No 1 Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros, she returned refreshed and focused, determined to use this month as a springboard towards Wimbledon glory.
“It’s incredibly special to play at Queen’s,” Raducanu said on court. “For us girls to have the tournament here finally, after watching the men for so many years, is really nice. I was quite locked in today.”
Raducanu’s performance was clinical from the outset. Breaking Bucsa early at 2-1 with a clever slice approach and backhand volley, she never allowed the world No 112 any breathing space. Her forehand cross-court shots regularly found the corners, while her movement and court coverage left her opponent scrambling.
The match held extra significance for Raducanu, who had lost to Bucsa earlier in the year. This time, though, there was no repeat. She stormed through the opening set in just 28 minutes, before wrapping up the match with equal ruthlessness. The most striking feature was not just the win, but Raducanu’s enjoyment — a refreshing sight following a difficult year, which included a troubling stalking ordeal.
With Wimbledon looming, Raducanu is fully aware of the stakes. Currently ranked 37th, she sits five places outside of a Wimbledon seeding. A seeding would ease her path through the opening rounds at SW19, potentially setting up deeper runs at the Grand Slam that made her a global star in 2021.
Opting to skip Nottingham’s WTA 250 event next week, Raducanu has instead accepted a wild card for the higher-profile Berlin Open (WTA 500). A strong showing there, coupled with success at Queen’s, could be enough to catapult her into the coveted top-32 seeding bracket in time for Wimbledon.
Alongside her doubles partner and compatriot Katie Boulter, who edged a tense three-set win over Ajla Tomljanovic earlier in the day, Raducanu represents Britain’s biggest hopes on the grass this summer. Where Boulter had to fight, Raducanu radiated calm control, barely putting a foot wrong throughout her first match at Queen’s.
Watching courtside were her new coach Mark Petchey — having made a quick dash from Roland Garros commentary duties — and long-time coach Nick Cavaday. Their presence seems to be paying immediate dividends as Raducanu’s game flourished, particularly in the baseline exchanges where her precision and aggression overwhelmed Bucsa.
Her court coverage, anticipation, and shot selection all suggested a player growing increasingly comfortable on grass, traditionally a surface that suits her attacking instincts.
The British No 2’s convincing win also comes amid growing comparisons with Boulter, Britain’s current top-ranked woman at world No 34. Both players are now vying for those final few Wimbledon seeding slots, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their pre-Wimbledon campaigns.
Raducanu’s next match, however, promises to be a tougher test. While Bucsa proved little more than a warm-up, the road to Wimbledon seeding will demand greater consistency against higher-ranked opposition in the days ahead.
Yet for now, Raducanu can enjoy a flawless start under the London sun — with her Wimbledon dream still very much alive.
