Great Britain fell short in the Billie Jean King Cup, despite Emma Raducanu's win in their semi-final against Slovakia.

Raducanu beat Viktoria Hruncakova 6-4 6-4 in the opening singles match on Tuesday.

That made the 22-year-old the British player with the highest win percentage in the competition in singles matches (minimum five matches played), with her 85.7% equalling Annabel Croft's effort.

Yet Katie Boulter was unable to keep up the momentum for Great Britain, as she went down 2-6 6-4 6-4 to Rebecca Sramkova, who has now won 18 singles matches since September. When including the Billie Jean King Cup, that is more than any other player in this span.

Boulter's defeat meant Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls were called upon in the doubles, but they were beaten in straight sets by Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova.

Slovakia have now reached the final of this competition for the second time as an independent state, having won the title in 2002.

Emma Raducanu is already excited to get going in 2025 after reflecting positively on the past 12 months.

The 22-year-old impressed for Great Britain in their Billie Jean King Cup victories over Germany and Canada last week.

Raducanu has struggled with regular injury issues since her remarkable 2021 US Open triumph, but she believes some perspective is needed.

"My assessment is, I think sometimes I need reminding," she told the WTA's official website of her 2024 campaign. 

"I'm top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way.

"I have to pat myself on the back for that. I know I'm a dangerous player. I know no-one wants to pull my name in the draw. 

"I take pride in that, and I'm looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year."

Raducanu, ranked number 58 in the world, is returning to action in Malaga after two months out with a foot injury.

She will have a part to play when Britain take on Slovenia in Wednesday's semi-finals as she looks to extend her season further.

And a bullish Raducanu intends to work hard on the court heading into the New Year, with the Australian Open fast approaching.

"I think traditionally you'd probably have a bit of a break and take a holiday or something," Raducanu said. 

"But I feel like I have had four, five weeks off tennis, and I don't really need any more time off.

"If anything, I'm excited and just itching to get on the practice court, and of course seeing some of my performances this week, it just incentivises me to do more work.

"I'm really pleased with how I've fought and how I'm faring up against these top girls. I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot with my tennis right now."

Emma Raducanu set Great Britain on their way to the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals, as they knocked out defending champions Canada on Sunday.

Great Britain won both of their singles matches in Malaga, with Raducanu starting the day with a straight-sets victory.

She cruised through the first set before showing her mettle in the second to gain a 6-0 7-5 victory over Rebecca Marino in the early game.

Katie Boulter then secured their passage, holding off Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes, without the need for a doubles decider.

Despite being the second lowest-ranked team, Great Britain are through to the final four without dropping a set in any of their singles matches so far.

They will face Slovakia, who beat 2022 runners-up Australia earlier on Sunday to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.

Like Great Britain, they triumphed in both of their singles matches, with Viktoria Hruncakova and Rebecca Sramkova coming out on top to secure the unassailable lead.

Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu were both victorious as Poland and Great Britain won their first-round ties at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Friday.

Poland won both of their singles matches against Spain in Malaga, while Britain did likewise versus Germany to seal their own spot in the competition's last eight. 

World number two Swiatek clinched Poland's progress with a 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 victory over Paula Badosa, after Magda Linette had put them ahead by beating Sara Sorribes Tormo in a gruelling three-hour, 51-minute affair.

Speaking after her own win, Swiatek hailed the endurance of team-mate Linette, who triumphed 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-4.

"I wouldn't say that I pushed us to the quarter-finals, because Magda pushed us to the quarter-finals, so we did it together," the five-time grand slam champion said.

"I'm glad that we won a match as Team Poland. I felt like it was my best match since the US Open. I knew that I could come back in the third set and try to win it for Poland."

Later on Friday, Great Britain were propelled to victory by Raducanu and Katie Boulter, both of whom were straight-sets victors.

Raducanu, playing her first match in almost two months after recovering from a foot injury, beat Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4.

The 2021 US Open champion started well and her effective serve was a key feature of the opening set, though she later required six match points to get over the line as Niemeier refused to go down without a fight.

Britain will face defending champions Canada in the last eight after Boulter raced to an impressive 6-1 6-2 victory over Laura Siegemund, ensuring there was no need for Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson to team up for a deciding doubles match.

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Hong Kong Open due to a foot injury as she races to be fit for the Billie Jean King Cup next month. 

Raducanu has not played since retiring midway through her quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina in the Korea Open last month.

The Briton revealed she had sprained ligaments in her foot and has subsequently missed four tournaments, including the China and Wuhan Open. 

Raducanu was targeting a return at next week's WTA 250 event in Hong Kong, but has pulled out of the event after confirming she would not be fit to feature.

"I'm sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week. Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit," she wrote on X.

"I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC [Billie Jean King Cup]."

But the world number 55's latest withdrawal has raised concerns about her chances of competing for Great Britain at the Billie Jean Cup. 

Raducanu is in Great Britain's squad of five players for the competition, joining Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls. 

Anne Keothavong's side take on Germany on November 15 in Spain, though Raducanu faces an uphill battle to be fit. 

Emma Raducanu has confirmed she will not play at this week's China Open after sustaining a foot injury. 

Raducanu was forced to withdraw from her Korea Open quarter-final match against Daria Kasatkina after needing a medical timeout in the opening set. 

The Briton was initially included in the draw for the Beijing event, but confirmation of her withdrawal was revealed soon afterwards.

The world number 54 was due to face a qualifier in the first round, with Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen potentially waiting in the next round.

"I sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal," Raducanu wrote on X.

"It means I can't play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as I can."

Raducanu has again struggled with injuries during the 2024 season but has managed to rise up the rankings, playing 33 matches on the WTA Tour this term.

She suffered a lower back injury during the Miami Open in March and was also hampered by a stomach bug at the Australian Open in the first major of the year. 

The Briton also sat out the French Open but managed to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon, though an untimely slip against Lulu Sun saw her bow out in three sets. 

The Korea Open was her first tournament since losing in the first round of the US Open, and she is next scheduled to play in Wuhan, China next month.

Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from her Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina with a foot injury.

Raducanu, who beat Peyton Stearns and Yue Yuan on her way to a last-eight showdown with the top seed, withdrew from the contest after losing the opening set 6-1. 

The 21-year-old was looking to make her second WTA Tour semi-final this year, but struggled against the Russian who had beaten her in straight sets in both previous encounters.

Raducanu found herself immediately on the back foot after losing her opening game on serve, but got her first point on the board in the third game. 

Kasatkina then took control, racing into a comfortable lead as Raducanu required a medical timeout after the fifth game, having been broken to love. 

Despite a spirited showing in the final game that saw Raducanu handed a break point opportunity, Kasatkina held firm before seeing her British opponent retire. 

The world number 13 will face compatriot Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals, with a potential showpiece match against Beatriz Haddad Maia or Veronika Kudermetova awaiting her. 

Emma Raducanu booked her place in the Korea Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over Yue Yuan.

The former US Open champion wrapped up a 6-4 6-3 win in just over two hours in Seoul, where she will play either top seed Daria Kasatkina or Hailey Baptiste.

Yue, who was runner-up in this event 12 months ago, recovered an early break to hold a slender 4-3 lead in the opening set.

However, Raducanu took control with a run of six successive games to draw first blood, before taking control of the second set with a double-break for 3-0.

Yue fought back to 3-2, but saw a break point go begging in the following game as the Briton eventually held to remain in command. 

Raducanu had to be patient as her opponent saved five match points to break in game eight, but the world number 70 eventually converted her seventh for victory.

Data Debrief: Raducanu roars into last eight

Raducanu has spoken of how she intends to "thrive in Asia" and she is in a good position to do that after reaching her fifth quarter-final of 2024.

The Briton certainly dominated on the serving front as she hammered 11 aces without reply, while also converting six out of nine break points.

Emma Raducanu dug deep to grind out a marathon straight-sets victory over Peyton Stearns to progress at the Korea Open on Tuesday.

The Brit, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, needed two tie-breaks to win, holding off Stearns 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and 46 minutes.

The play was delayed for 45 minutes due to excessive heat before the pair traded breaks in the opening three games, with Raducanu at one point holding a 4-1 lead before Stearns fought back to force the first tie-break.

Raducanu prevailed but was put straight back under pressure in a lengthy opening game of the second set, saving break point three times to get off the mark.

There was little to separate the two throughout though, as they continued to trade breaks before the 2021 US Open champion found her edge again to take the tie-break.

She will face last year's Korea Open runner-up Yuan Yue in the next round. 

Data Debrief: Going the distance

Raducanu was playing her first match since being knocked out of the US Open, and she was certainly made to work for the victory.

It featured a combined tally of 28 break points and 12 breaks of serve, with eight of those coming in a topsy-turvy first set.

Raducanu successfully saved nine of 15 break points compared to seven of 13 for Stearns.

Emma Raducanu has been named in Great Britain's team for the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

The 2021 US Open winner will be joined by Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls for the event in Malaga.

Britain defeated France in April to qualify for the knockout stage, with four of the aforementioned five - Watson the exception - taking part.

Captain Anne Keothavong named her five-member team on Monday ahead of the showpiece, which runs from November 13 to 20.

"We are really looking forward to the finals in Malaga after qualifying following our fantastic weekend in France in April," Keothavong said.

"Our team have created excellent memories and put in outstanding performances in this competition in recent years.

"We will relish the opportunity. There is still a lot of tennis to be played, and changes can be made up until the day before our first match."

All 12 teams announced their line-ups on Monday, with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff notable names not included for Poland and the United States respectively.

World number one Swiatek and world number six Gauff feel they are unable to compete due to a quick turnaround in events to end the year.

US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro is also out of the USA squad.

Emma Raducanu is hoping lessons will be learned from her first round defeat to Sofia Kenin at the US Open. 

Raducanu, who won the tournament 2021, lost in three sets 1-6 6-3 4-6 to her American opponent at Flushing Meadows, reducing her to tears after the encounter. 

After being outplayed by Kenin in the opening set, the world number 72 responded in the second to take the match the distance in New York. 

However, despite serving four of her six aces during the contest in the final set, Kenin would prove too strong to secure an all-American encounter with Jessica Pegula in the round of 64.

"I feel down, I feel sad," an emotional Raducanu said. "Obviously, this is a tournament I really want to do well in. 

"I was maybe a bit slow starting. I would have preferred to probably play, a little bit more before coming into the US Open."

"You know, I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good. You feel like everything's automatic.

"So yeah, I think I can learn from it. And you know my manage my schedule slightly differently."

Data Debrief: Raducanu loses the battle of former grand slam winners

Raducanu's match against Kenin is the second R128 match at this year's US Open between two former women’s singles grand slam winners.

And while not at her best, Kenin was able to showcase her resilience that won her the Australian Open in 2020, saving six of the nine break points she faced. 

Emma Raducanu says she is always ready to "do things a little bit differently" as she prepares for the US Open.

The 21-year-old is set to play just her second match at Flushing Meadows since winning the grand slam as a teenage qualifier in 2021.

She will face American Sofia Kenin in the first round, with Jessica Pegula a potential second-round opponent if she gets through.

Raducanu has only played one tournament since being knocked out in the fourth round at Wimbledon, opting to miss the Olympics, as she continues to ease herself back into regular action after her long injury lay-off.

She reached the quarter-finals in Washington, going out to eventual champion Paula Badosa, but chose not to play in Toronto before deciding against qualifying for Cincinnati.

"I really wanted to play in Toronto, especially because I was born there, but the turnaround was too tight for qualifying," she told BBC Sport.

"I would have had to play on Sunday, and I finished [in Washington] late Friday night, so flying there and adjusting, I just felt was too tight.

"Otherwise, I just always do things a little bit differently.

"[In Cincinnati] I would have pretty much had to wait around just for one tournament in qualies and then another week off before the US Open - so I think it was a better decision we all made to just go back and work on things there."

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka is hoping familiar surroundings will help to boost her confidence after a tough run in 2024.

Since returning from a 15-month maternity break in January, Osaka has struggled to recapture her top form, and in her most recent outing in Cincinnati, she was knocked out in the second round of qualifying.

Having won the US Open in 2018 and 2020, the 26-year-old believes being back in the city she grew up in will help her find her footing.

"I feel like, throughout the year, I have had really hard matches, and it kind of dipped my confidence a little," Osaka told reporters on Saturday.

"I do think coming to this specific tournament helps me out. But also, whenever I step foot here, I don't really think about the two tournaments I won.

"I just think about how I felt when I was a kid, because I did grow up coming here, and I have such vivid memories of watching my favourite players. It's more of a childhood nostalgia that I really enjoy."

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his bid for a third straight grand slam success against a qualifier at the US Open, while top seed Jannik Sinner will face Mackenzie McDonald in the first round.

Alcaraz won his fourth major title at Wimbledon in July, dominating Novak Djokovic in the final after also triumphing at the 2022 US Open, Wimbledon in 2023 and the French Open earlier this year.

Should the Spaniard progress through his first-round match, he could take on Botic van de Zandschulp in round two and Britain's Jack Draper in the third round.

Seeded third, Alcaraz could face world number one Sinner in the semi-finals, with the Italian starting his campaign against a home favourite in McDonald.

Sinner recently avoided a ban after twice testing positive for banned substance clostebol, with an independent tribunal finding he was inadvertently given the steroid in an over-the-counter spray by his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi.

On the other side of the men's draw, Djokovic will also start against a qualifier as he bids to finally surpass Margaret Court's overall record of 24 grand slam titles.

Djokovic won his 24th major crown at the 2023 tournament at Flushing Meadows, beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the final.

He has struggled to find top gear at this year's grand slams, though he did claim his first Olympic gold medal by beating Alcaraz in the showpiece match at Roland-Garros.

In the women's draw, top seed Iga Swiatek will start against a qualifier while Coco Gauff will open her title defence by taking on Varvara Gracheva, with a testing third-round date with Elina Svitolina potentially on the cards for the third-seeded American.

Aryna Sabalenka joins Swiatek in facing a qualifier first, while there is a tricky draw for 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu, who is set for her first Flushing Meadows appearance since 2022.

She will take on the United States' 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin, with the victor set to face another American in round two, in either Shelby Rogers or sixth seed Jessica Pegula. 

The first round of the US Open begins on Monday, with the women's singles final set for September 7 and the men's showpiece match taking place one day later.

Paula Badosa lauded Emma Raducanu for pushing her all the way in a three-set encounter at the Washington Open.

Badosa, the world number 62, ended Raducanu's promising run in the American capital with a 4-6 7-5 6-4 triumph on Friday.

The Spaniard needed two hours and 45 minutes to overcome the 2021 US Open champion and reach her first semi-final of the season.

"She was playing amazing, honestly," Badosa said after meeting Raducanu for the first time.

"She took me to the limit in all the phases; physically, mentally, tennis-wise. I knew I had to play very aggressive.

"In the beginning, I was missing a little bit so I had to adjust. She was also making me miss. She's very, very fast. I never played her, so it's the first time I experienced her.

"I was surprised how smart she is on court and I like the way she plays."

Badosa will next face Caroline Dolehide, who beat Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.

Emma Raducanu had to fend off jet lag as she overcame Elise Mertens in the first round at the Washington Open.

Making her first appearance since she lost in the last 16 at Wimbledon, Raducanu prevailed 6-2 3-6 6-4 over Mertens, who she also defeated at the All England Club, on Monday.

The 21-year-old elected to skip the Olympics to focus on her hard-court form and prepare for the US Open, which she won in 2021.

Raducanu's Washington campaign started with a stern test against Mertens, with the match dragging on well beyond 11pm local time.

And Raducanu conceded it was a struggle as she grappled with jet lag.

"I was playing some pretty good tennis in patches throughout, especially in the first set and moments in the third set," she said.

"I lost some focus in the second. It's not easy playing at 11:30. I got here Thursday night so I'm still jet-lagged.

"I was telling myself, 'I'm not leaving. This is not happening. You're not losing this match'.

"I've been training and playing so good in practice. I've been really on it. So on the court, I was telling myself: 'You've been so focused for so long. There's no way you're not going to try right now. You're going to fight until the very end. You didn't put all that work in for nothing'."

"I'm happy with how I pulled myself out of it, but I do need to focus."