Emma Raducanu cruised into the quarter-finals at the Queen's Club Championships with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Rebecca Sramkova on Thursday.
The stands at the Andy Murray Arena were packed for Raducanu's victory as she advanced as the lone Briton left in the tournament, the match lasting barely more than an hour after she closed a one-sided second set in short order.
Raducanu raced into a 5-0 lead as the 22-year-old looked at ease on the grass, but Sramkova saved two set points in the sixth game, finding her range in a comeback that quickly gathered pace.
The Slovakian won four games on the trot as Raducanu's winners dried up, but the Briton recovered and served to love to seal the opening set, flashing a sheepish smile at her team as she walked back to her seat.
Raducanu took confidence from her first serve and started the second set as she did the first, racing into a 4-0 lead thanks to a quick double break as Sramkova made a slew of errors.
Raducanu then won the contest by converting a sixth break point, with victory confirming the former U.S. Open champion's status as the British number one again, leapfrogging her doubles partner Boulter.
"I don't think it was my cleanest performance, but I'm really happy to have pushed through in some tight moments that decided the first set," Raducanu said.
"It was really helpful to have a big roar of support to get me through that last service game. So I appreciate that.
“I came out ready, expecting everything I am just happy I was able to get off to a good start and build a lead.”
She continued, admitting she struggled for motivation in the tie after being knocked out of the doubles bracket yesterday.
“Honestly, it was a real challenge for me today. I am not used to playing doubles and I was really upset and really felt I was out of the tournament so it was difficult to fire myself up for this.
“I’d really like to play with Katie again in the future.”
