Emma Raducanu set for return to British No.1 as DC Open Washington continues

Emma Raducanu is confirmed for a return to British No.1 in the coming days after taking down Naomi Osaka to reach the latter stages of the DC Open Washington where she now takes on Maria Sakkari later today.

Raducanu will return after reaching World No.39, she is up seven spots already and will maximum go up to World No.26 where Sofia Kenin is currently. Other current movers who are still in action include Leylah Fernandez who is World No.31 and is already up five spots.

Xinyu Wang is into the semi-final of the Prague Open and is up four spots. She currently has a best of World No.32 and is now up to World No.36. But in terms of Raducanu, she is now ahead of Katie Boulter who remains in World No.41 but could be caught by Anna Kalinskaya who is up to World No.42 up six spots after reaching the Quarter-Finals herself of the DC Open.

Anastasia Potapova, Maya Joint and Yulia Putintseva all move down as a result. Potapova down a spot, while Maya Joint is down six spots. Yulia Putintseva is also down two spots.

Marie Bouzkova is into the semi-finals of the Prague Open also and is up one spot. Naomi Osaka despite losing early in Washington is up two spots to World No.49.

“I thought it was going to be a really difficult match. Naomi’s won four slams, she’s been world number one, won Masters," said Raducanu to Sky Sports after her win.

“She’s so dangerous and on the hard courts I think she’s particularly comfortable. I knew I was going to have to play really well and manage my own service games, which I’m really proud of how I did.

“I was making some inroads in her service games after I got used to it a little bit. I’m really pleased with how I handled the ball speed and the conditions here in DC.”

She ended Boulter's two year run of being British No.1 earlier in June but then slipped back to World No.46 after losing a close tussle with Sabalenka in the third round of Wimbledon.

Her two victories meant though that she now returns towards the top 40 and she has not dropped a set in three previous meetings against Sakkari who she plays today.

Sonay Kartal was also in the fight for that spot but she is down three positions to World No.48 as a result of recent ranking developments. Albeit she would have to record a career best to pass both Boulter and Raducanu currently so she remains British No.3.

It has been a more positive mindset of late also for the former US Open champion.

“My goal, it’s kind of gone away from result-orientated goals and just enjoying each day and trying to bank as many good ones as possible in a row and not let a bad day kind of creep in, or if a bad morning session, like trying to regain it straightaway.”

“I think when I watch myself now, I really like how I look on the court,” she said. “Not in like a narcissistic way! I mean in terms of energy, and I think I feel quite upbeat. The pink outfit is pretty cute as well.

“I think it’s more I look composed on the court. I feel composed. I think that’s a product of just the amount of work I’m doing behind the scenes that maybe people don’t see. I love that, I love banking it in, doing everything in the shadows.

“I feel pretty calm, because I know regardless of the result I’m doing the right things, and I’m banking so many good days in a row and trying to keep a streak going. It’s working really well. It takes a bit of pressure off the immediate result in the matches.”

Start time (local): Fri, 25 Jul, 12:00 PM

Start time (your time): Sat, 26 Jul, 12:00 AM

Court: Stadium

Tournament: Mubadala Citi DC Open

Round: Quarterfinal