Britain’s Emma Raducanu is making a resurgent run at the 2024 DC Open, defeating Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-4, 7-5 on Friday to reach her first WTA semi-final since Nottingham in 2023—and her deepest tournament run since winning the 2021 US Open.

Enduring intense heat reaching 95°F (35°C), Raducanu called the conditions “one of the toughest” she’s ever played in. “You just leave it all out there on the court as an athlete,” she said after requiring a medical timeout in the second set. The 21-year-old rallied from a break down to win the final five games and seal the match.

Raducanu’s path to the semis included a high-profile second-round win over four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, and now puts her within striking distance of her first WTA final since her Grand Slam breakthrough in New York three years ago.

A potential final could see a highly anticipated rematch against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who Raducanu beat in the 2021 US Open final. Fernandez booked her semi-final place after overcoming leg cramps and saving a set point in a tense 6-4, 7-6(4) win over American Taylor Townsend.

Fernandez, a three-time WTA champion, awaits the winner of the quarter-final clash between Elena Rybakina and Magdalena Frech. Meanwhile, Raducanu will face either Clara Tauson or Anna Kalinskaya in her own semi-final on Saturday.

Calling the achievement a “big benchmark,” Raducanu expressed pride in her performance and progress. “It’s the first semis in a long time. I’m really proud of that and just happy that all the hard work I’ve been doing is starting to pay off,” she said.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on a potential showdown between two of tennis’s most exciting young stars—reigniting a rivalry last seen on the grandest stage at Flushing Meadows.