"It takes a little pressure off the results" - Emma Raducanu credits hard work for outstanding run to DC Open semifinals

After months of floundering on the WTA Tour, Emma Raducanu appears to be rejuvenated as she powered through to the semifinals of the 2025 DC Open.

The British star defeated former World No.3 Maria Sakkari in their quarterfinal encounter, recording a clinical 6-4 7-5 win to advance to the final four. Raducanu will face the winner between Clara Tauson and Anna Kalinskaya for a spot in her first WTA final since winning the 2021 US Open.

Following her triumph at Flushing Meadows four years ago, Raducanu has been through a slump. The former World No.10 has dealt with knee and ankle injuries that required surgery, in addition to cycling through numerous coaches in just a few years on tour.

Nonetheless, Raducanu has looked impressive at the DC Open. The 22-year old defeated seventh seed Marta Kostyuk and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka en route to the quarterfinals, and is yet to drop a set this week in Washington.

Holding a 3-0 lead in career meetings against Sakkari, Raducanu was the favorite to emerge victorious. However, the Greek star did not go down without a fight, forcing her British opponent to execute an almost perfect game in order to advance to the semifinal.

Raducanu was full of praise for Sakkari after the match. Furthermore, the former US Open champion revealed she was proud of all the extra work she does during her training and practice sessions. These grueling periods are starting to pay off, leaving Raducanu's confidence at an all-time high.

"I think my confidence has been building since Miami," said Raducanu in her post-match interview. "The amount of work I’m doing behind the scenes, to have that in the locker & banked, you know you’ve done it, it takes a little pressure off the results."