Emma Raducanu fires warning to next opponents after Queen's thrashing ahead of Wimbledon: 'Locked in'

Emma Raducanu meets King Charles at Windsor Castle
Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 10/06/2025

- 17:35

Updated: 10/06/2025

- 18:28

Emma Raducanu swatted aside Cristina Bucsa in just over an hour at Queen's Club

Emma Raducanu delivered a commanding performance on the newly christened Andy Murray Arena, dispatching qualifier Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour at Queen's Club.

The 22-year-old Briton looked supremely comfortable on the pristine grass courts, dominating from the baseline with powerful groundstrokes.


"I must say I was quite locked in today," Raducanu said afterwards.

"I'm still trying to find my groove on this surface. I actually lost to Cristina earlier in the year, so I was really trying to fight and get into the second round."

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu insisted she was 'locked in' during her Queen's Club victory on Tuesday

PA

The former US Open champion required just 24 minutes to secure the opening set.

Currently ranked 37th in the world, Raducanu finds herself just five spots away from securing a coveted seeding at Wimbledon.

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The top-32 ranking would grant her a more favourable draw at SW19, a benefit she hasn't enjoyed since 2022.

The strategic importance of this fortnight has shaped her tournament schedule. Rather than competing at Nottingham next week, she has accepted a wildcard for the higher-rated Berlin Open.

A strong showing at either Queen's or Berlin could prove crucial for breaking into that top-32.

Katie Boulter, her doubles partner this week, is similarly pursuing a Wimbledon seeding after her own first-round victory.

Raducanu's dominance was evident throughout the match. She secured an early break at 2-1 with a slice approach and backhand volley, before adding a second break to cruise through the first set.

Her forehand cross-court proved particularly effective, while she opened the second set with two forehand winners to break immediately.

The Spaniard, who had battled through two qualifying rounds, struggled to cope with Raducanu's consistency and court coverage.

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Cristina Bucsa

Cristina Bucsa was thrashed by Emma Raducanu in straight sets

PA

A forehand volley put-away secured a double break before Raducanu sealed victory with an exquisite cross-court backhand passing shot.

The performance marked a stark contrast to Boulter's earlier three-set struggle.

Thursday's second-round encounter presents a formidable challenge in defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.

The Czech will provide the clearest indication yet of where Raducanu's grass-court game stands.

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Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu appears to be in good form ahead of Wimbledon later this month

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"It's incredibly special to play at Queen's," Raducanu reflected. "For us girls to have a tournament here, instead of watching on TV and seeing the men play, is really nice."

The significance extends beyond individual matches. Women's tennis has returned to Queen's for the first time in 52 years, with Heather Watson and Sonay Kartal joining Raducanu and Boulter in the second round.

This historic week at the west London venue marks a new chapter for British women's tennis.