Emma Raducanu’s winning streak continued on Tuesday but it was not enough as Britain lost their Billie Jean King Cup semi-final to Slovakia.
The 22-year-old defeated world No.238 Viktoria Hruncakova 6-4 6-4 before British No.1 Katie Boulter – the world No.24 – lost to world No.43 Rebecca Sramkova 6-2 4-6 4-6 to dramatically level the best-of-three series at 1-1.
Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova then beat Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson in the decider 6-2 6-2 to eliminate Britain – and complete a 2-1 turnaround – to book Slovakia’s spot in Wednesday’s final against Italy.
Despite pain for Britain, it was another impressive individual result for Raducanu, who has enjoyed a resurgent 2024 season after long-term injury problems across 2023 and 2022.
‘Every match is extremely challenging and as the tournament progresses it’s more and more,’ Raducanu said after her win. ‘It was a really tough battle because my opponent has a huge ball-strike and she plays much above her ranking. On these courts, it really suits her. But I was really pleased with how I composed myself and served it out in both sets.
‘Both sides of hers come with extreme power and if you give her time to either side, she can really hit it. The tactic was to try to keep her moving and not let her get the first strike in. I did that well with my serving and starting the point and I’m really happy to come through that.’
Raducanu, who impressed with victories in Britain’s triumphs against Germany and Canada in the last two rounds, got off to the perfect start against Hruncakova by breaking her foe in the first game of the first set.
The 2021 US Open champion, ranked world No.58, then followed that up by saving three break points in game two to open up a 2-0 lead – much to the excitement of the British fans out in Malaga – who could be seen waving Union Flags and wearing special red, white and blue bucket hats.
Hruncakova held her serve in game three but Raducanu’s dominance showed no sign of ending as she conjured up a double break to lead 4-1, winning 12 consecutive points as the British superstar took total control.
Raducanu should have wrapped up the first set 6-2 – but dramatically missed set point in game eight – with Hruncakova recording her first break as she looked to shift the momentum back in her favour.
Hruncakova followed up that break with a hold to put the pressure firmly on Raducanu – playing her first event since a nasty foot injury – but the Briton held her nerve to close out the set 6-4 with 50 minutes on the clock.
In the second set, the duo traded service games until game five as Raducanu found a couple of excellent returns to bring up 0-30, eventually securing the break as Hruncakova’s shot landed long early into a rally.
After holding to lead 4-2, Raducanu took advantage of her opponent’s double fault in game seven with another break. It handed Raducanu the chance to wrap up the match 6-2 but, suddenly, Hruncakova broke back.
Hruncakova’s subsequent hold kept her slim hopes of a comeback alive but Raducanu was in no mood for a decider and closed it out 6-4 6-4.
Raducanu’s victory gave Britain a 1-0 lead against Slovakia before Boulter lost to Sramkova to make it 1-1 in the best-of-three series.
Britain required a win in the doubles decider to book a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup final against Italy – but it was Slovakia who came out on top.