Emma Raducanu regains British number one ranking after Boulter's loss

In the UK, Katie Boulter's reign as the British number one in women's tennis has concluded after a defeat at the Queen's Club Championships. Boulter, who had been leading the rankings since June 2023, faced off against Diana Shnaider in the last-16 and lost with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. The match took place on a warm day that was interrupted by rain, which impacted Boulter's performance after she had taken the first set. Emma Raducanu, who was closely trailing Boulter in the rankings, took full advantage of this opportunity to advance in the tournament and reclaim the top spot among British women. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, showcased her skill as she progressed to the quarter-finals with a decisive 6-4, 6-1 win over Rebecca Sramkova. Her performance was highlighted by the ability to control the match, especially in the second set where she dominated her opponent. This win confirmed Raducanu's position as the last British hopeful in the WTA 500 event at Queen's. The shift in rankings comes at an interesting time as Raducanu's form has been on the rise, reflecting her readiness for the upcoming Wimbledon tournament. Boulter had a promising start against Shnaider, breaking her serve twice to take the opening set, which seemed to put her on course for success. However, a 20-minute rain delay allowed the Russian player to regroup, leading to a significant change in momentum. Boulter struggled to maintain her advantage afterward, and despite some attempts to recover, she could not prevent Shnaider from taking the next two sets and securing victory. The change in circumstances at this stage in the tournament marked a significant moment in the careers of both Boulter and Raducanu. With Raducanu's first return to the top ranking in two years, she expressed her excitement about the competition between herself and Boulter, who previously held the number one ranking after Raducanu's US Open win. Both players have been key figures in British women's tennis and their rivalry is seen as healthy for the sport. With Wimbledon on the horizon, both will be looking to build on their performances at Queen's, signaling a competitive landscape in British tennis for the year ahead.