• Emma Raducanu reached her first WTA final since winning the 2021 US Open.
  • She beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5 3-6 6-3 in a nearly three-hour semi-final at the Transylvania Open.
  • Raducanu snapped a six-match losing streak in deciding sets and addressed the crowd in Romanian.
  • She will face home favourite Sorana Cirstea in Saturday’s final.

H2: Raducanu holds her nerve to reach first final since 2021

Emma Raducanu produced a gritty, often tense performance to beat Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5 3-6 6-3 and reach the Transylvania Open final in Cluj-Napoca. The win marks her first WTA final since her historic 2021 US Open victory and ends a run of frustrating semi-final losses.

The match lasted almost three hours. Raducanu recovered from a mid-match wobble and fought back after going a break down in the decider, saving match points and serving out the victory at the third attempt.

H3: A test of resilience

Raducanu has struggled with injuries and coaching changes since her Grand Slam breakthrough, and results have been inconsistent. Still, she showed the resilience that made her a household name, grinding out key points late and keeping her composure under pressure.

“I’m so proud of how I competed, how I came back in the third set and how I managed the match,” Raducanu said after the win. Exhausted but elated, she briefly addressed the crowd in Romanian — a nod to her father, who is from Bucharest.

H3: Match turning points

The Briton dropped the second set 3-6 after a strong opening set, but regrouped in the decider. She missed two match points at 5-3 before saving two break-back points and closing out the match at the third chance. The victory ended a six-match streak of losing deciding sets and was her first three-set win since Eastbourne last June.

H4: Quick match facts

  • Score: 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
  • Duration: Nearly three hours
  • Significance: First WTA final for Raducanu since 2021 US Open

H2: Next up — home favourite Sorana Cirstea

Raducanu now faces Romanian third seed Sorana Cirstea in Saturday’s final. Cirstea, playing in front of a home crowd, is the top remaining seed and will present a tough test for the British number one. A win would give Raducanu her first tour-level trophy in five years.

H3: A strong day for British women

Raducanu’s progress coincides with fellow Briton Katie Boulter reaching the Ostrava Open final on the same day, marking a high point for British women’s tennis. Boulter’s run adds momentum to a positive week for the national game.

H2: What this means

For Raducanu, the result is evidence she can still produce high-level tennis under pressure. The Transylvania Open final gives her a clear opportunity to end a long trophy drought and rebuild momentum ahead of the rest of the season.

Fans will be watching closely on Saturday as Raducanu attempts to convert this renewed form into a first title since her unforgettable 2021 run.

Image Referance: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/crkrknmv26jo