Emma Raducanu believes that she has improved her serve, mentality, and defensive skills since she made her last hard-court semi-final appearance.

The Brit chalked up another significant win after defeating Greek Maria Sakkari 6-4, 7-5 in her quarter-final match at the Citi DC Open.

Raducanu battled back from 5-2 down in the second set, including a medical check-up, to win all of the next five games and extend her dominance over Sakkari.

As a result, the 2021 US Open champion will enter her first semi-final at a hard-court tournament since Seoul in 2022 – 33 months ago.

However, despite taking an extended period of time to return to such a position, Raducanu firmly believes that she is a better player today than at the South Korean tournament.

“I think 2022, the last semis I made in Seoul, the quality of opponents I have just beaten here is a lot higher, and I think also the way the tournament has moved on, every match is a lot more difficult,” the Brit analysed, during her post-match press conference.

“I’d say it’s a completely different era of tennis, and I’m playing a lot better to try and match that.

“I think the areas I have improved I think, one, my competitiveness. I think that’s one of my bigger strengths when I am focused and in the zone.

“And I think that’s something I found a lot more from, you know, March this year. I think I have been a lot more focused and competitive for each point and not being flat or defeated.

“Then I think the other thing, I think my serve has improved. Like, the last few matches I have been getting a lot more free points.

“I know, like, whenever I have played well or had great results, that’s been working really well.

“Then also I think just movement of my defensive skills have probably been the biggest improvement.

“I think I’m able to kind of dig out some points and stay in the points and use a bit more hand skills, slice, get an extra ball back.

“I think it tends, not every point, but some really important moments, it can help. I think that has improved the most.”

2025 has marked a return to more consistent form for the future British No 1, most impressively making the quarter-finals at the WTA 1000 event in Miami (losing to Jessica Pegula in three sets).

Raducanu has now collected 21 match wins this season, her highest-ever tally in a single year (excluding team competitions).

The Brit’s ranking will also improve significantly as a result of the Washington run, currently predicted to climb 14 places in the live WTA rankings – from 46th to 32nd.

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Despite the quarter-final victory, there was a flurry of concerns from tennis fans after the 22-year-old had her vitals checked at 5-4 in the second set, seemingly affected by the heat.

More worryingly, Raducanu retired from her women’s doubles semi-final match alongside Elena Rybakina after going down 4-1 in the first set to Zhang Shuai and Taylor Townsend.

Once again, it seems as though the excessive heat caused the Brit to throw in the towel after having her vitals checked once again.

“I’m not feeling the best right now, so I just need to go and speak to the doctors,” the 22-year-old said.

“I think you get to a point where you’re so tired that you don’t really know what you’re doing anymore, and I think maybe that helped.

“I was also thinking if this goes to three sets, I don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

“I think the humidity here, as well, it just makes it feel completely like you have just opened an oven and it just stayed open and your head is in there. That’s how it feels.

“Wimbledon, it gets hot in England, but it’s a drier heat, not quite the same sweating.

“Today, even in the match warmup, you just go outside and you’re sweating. Honestly, it’s even hotter watching, I think, because you’re sat and you don’t create any movement and wind and flowing.

“A credit to everyone, yeah, and much appreciated to getting out higher and watching.”

Raducanu will next face off against Russian Anna Kalinskaya, who defeated Clara Tauson.