Emma Raducanu downs Maria Sakkari to reach first hard-court semi-final since 2022

The result puts the Brit through to her first semi-final since the Nottingham Open in 2024, and her first on a hard court since the Korea Open in September 2022.

Raducanu fought back from a break down in both sets, including from 5-2 in the second set, to defeat the Greek for the fourth consecutive time - winning all eight of their contested sets.

She is next due to face either Anna Kalinskaya or fourth seed Clara Tauson.

"I think my confidence has been building since Miami," said Raducanu after her win.

"The amount of work I'm doing behind the scenes, to have that in the locker and banked, you know you've done it, it takes a little pressure off the results.

"I'm really pleased today, you know, Maria played an incredible match and I think that these conditions really suit her with the jumpiness and liveliness of her game, so I'm really happy to have just toughed it out.

"You just have to enjoy suffering, as bad as that sounds, you just have to leave it all out on the court until you probably drop."

Raducanu had her vitals checked after breaking back in the second set, with temperatures soaring on quarter-finals day in Washington.

She is now confirmed to jump from her current world No 46th spot to - as of the current live WTA rankings - the 32nd spot. That position could be crucial heading into the US Open as it would guarantee her a seeded spot in the draw.

Should the Brit go on to lift the Citi DC Open title, she would close in on the world's top 25.

"I feel a lot more composed, I feel more relaxed, more comfortable in myself and just what I'm doing on and off the court," Raducanu added.

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