'ER Squared' Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina continue dream doubles tandem into DC Open Washington semi-finals

Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina are both into singles Quarter-Finals at the 2025 DC Open in Washington and are together into the doubles semi-finals after taking down Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi 7-6, 6-4.

Raducanu has only just won earlier tonight against Naomi Osaka prevailing in a 6-4, 6-2 win over the former World No.1 and despite going straight onto doubles excelled once again.

The duo were 5-3 down in the opening set and also a set point down in the tie-break 6-4 but managed to weather the storm to take it narrowly before then edging through in the second set.

Both are only really playing doubles anyway in order to get ready for the US Open. Both are in leading teams in the mixed doubles with Rybakina partnering Taylor Fritz. While Raducanu is in the highly touted turned tabloid romance speculation team with Carlos Alcaraz. So like many she has used this week as a warm-up alongside Rybakina.

Thus far it has worked out and they are through to the latter stages in what is a hugely surprising win over the experienced pairing.

After taking down a vastly experienced pair, they now face another in second seeds Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang which in reality should be the end point but you never know.

Townsend and Zhang showed their class yesterday by seeing off Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste and ending that story in its tracks. But now they face another non doubles tandem at least in the current day not taking away from Williams' previous doubling exploits with her sister Serena.

So in reality it should be a pretty good tie for Townsend and Zhang especially given that their opponents will be focusing on their singles ties too. As alluded to Raducanu saw off Osaka earlier on today while Rybakina saw off Victoria Mboko. Venus Williams could await her who faces Magdalana Frech.

That in itself would be the real acid test for Venus Williams as to what level she is really at. Albeit in facing Frech who is fifth seed and saw off Yulia Starodubtseva pretty easily, it is not an easy assignment.

Raducanu and Rybakina remain in singles contention

Rybakina gets even tougher with her steely poise meaning she won't be standing on ceremony for the legendary American. She saw off rising star Victoria Mboko in the second round 6-3, 7-5 to set up that potential meeting.

While Raducanu faces a mouth watering tie with Maria Sakkari. Two players aiming to be back to their best with big wins so far. Sakkari saw off Katie Boulter 6-3, 6-4 before then defeating Emma Navarro 7-5, 7-6. Awaiting likely in the semi-finals could be Anna Kalinskaya.

She looked good in thrashing Magda Linette and now faces Clara Tauson who survived in three against Caroline Dolehide so much to ponder in both singles and doubles for Rybakina and Raducanu.

Rybakina has also previously mooted that they could play together again in future and that she is enjoy their team also known by Raducanu as E Squared.

“Yeah, I think she’s really nice girl. It was a lot of fun,” Rybakina said post match after beating Mboko.

“Of course tough match, but I’m happy that I played doubles, and I think it’s good as a practice, preparation for singles. So it was fun, and yeah, hopefully we can play a bit more in the future too.”

While she also stoked a potential tie with Venus Williams stating she wants to play her. Well she might get her chance. “Yeah, for sure I grew up watching Venus and Serena,” added Rybakina. “Yeah, it’s going to be nice opportunity for me to play against her. I played once against Serena, and it will be nice to play against her too.”

Match Statistics Olmos G / Sutjiadi A vs. Raducanu E / Rybakina E