Emma Raducanu advanced to her first WTA Tour final since the 2021 US Open triumph, defeating Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a tense semifinal at the Transylvania Open. The British No. 1 overcame a mid-match slump and physical challenges to secure the victory, setting up a showdown with Sorana Cirstea.
Emma Raducanu's campaign at the Transylvania Open has been a story of resurgence, and her semifinal clash against Oleksandra Oliynykova encapsulated the grit required to return to the final stage. The 23-year-old, seeded No. 1 in Cluj-Napoca, faced a resilient opponent in the 25-year-old Ukrainian, who was playing in just her second WTA main draw and had already notched upsets, including a win over No. 4 seed Wang Xinyu.
Raducanu started strongly, breaking Oliynykova to lead 5-4 in the first set, but required medical treatment for her right shoulder at 6-5. She steadied herself to close out the set 7-5 after 73 minutes. Oliynykova, known for her defensive prowess and saving 21 of 22 break points earlier in the tournament, fought back fiercely in the second set, breaking twice to level the match at one set apiece with a 6-3 win.
The decider saw Raducanu trail 1-2 after an early break, but she responded with back-to-back breaks of her own, surging to a 5-2 lead. Serving for the match, she faced three match points but couldn't convert, and Oliynykova clawed back to 5-4. Raducanu held firm in the final game, using drop shots to seal a 6-3 victory after 2 hours and 48 minutes. Oliynykova received a standing ovation for her spirited display.
This marks Raducanu's second WTA final, her first since Flushing Meadows four years and five months ago. She has dropped just one set this week, showing improved aggression post her split with coach Francisco Roig. In the final, she faces home favorite Sorana Cirstea, who beat Daria Snigur 6-0, 6-3. Raducanu leads their head-to-head 1-0 from Wimbledon 2021. A win would propel her into the top 25.
Meanwhile, Katie Boulter reached the Ostrava Open final with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Katie Volynets, marking the first time two British women contest WTA finals on the same day.
