Emma Raducanu ends five-year drought to reach first final since historic US Open success

Emma Raducanu is into the final of the Transylvania Open despite threatening a late collapse during her last-four clash.

The British No.1 beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a back-and-forth match in Cluj-Napoca, Romania on Friday.

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Raducanu is now into her first final since winning the 2021 US Open aged 18 and just the second tour-level showpiece of her career.

The top seed will face either Sorana Cirstea or Daria Snigur in Saturday’s final.

However, Raducanu’s semi-final victory did not come without its own challenges.

The 23-year-old required treatment from the physio on court during the opening set.

She had been leading 6-5 when a medical timeout was called due to an issue with her right shoulder.

Raducanu was able to see out the set, though, taking the opener 7-5 as she closed in on a place in the final.

An early break in the second set saw Raducanu move 3-1 in front, but she then crumbled, losing five straight games to lose the set.

Things worsened when she was then broken early in the decider, with Oliynykova looking to have the momentum.

However, Raducanu managed to fight back under pressure and went on to win five of the next six games to progress.

Booking a place in the final in Romania came despite her not currently having a coach after announcing a split from Francisco Roig last week.

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The world No.30 has only dropped one set at the tournament, which takes place in her father’s native country.

Prior to this week, her only previous appearance at the Transylvania Open came at the inaugural edition back in 2021.

On that occasion, she made it to the quarter-finals before losing to Marta Kostyuk.

What has Raducanu said?

Speaking after beating Oleksandra Oliynykova, Raducanu said: “What an incredible match, all props to Oli, she played incredibly and made it so tricky to put any ball past her. 

“I’m most proud of how I competed, came back in the third set, I don’t know if I could’ve done it without everyone’s support. I really feel like I’m at home here, thank you so much everyone. 

When the “haides” [“come on” in Romanian] come out, it means I’m getting really gritty. I’m really happy with how I came through this.”

Alamy

A good day for the Brits

The Grand Slam champion is not the only Brit to make it through into a WTA Tour final this weekend, either.

Katie Boulter will contest the showpiece clash at the Ostrava Open tomorrow after beating Katie Volynets 6-1, 6-3.

She is set to face either Diane Parry or Tamara Korpatsch in the final in Czechia on Saturday.

Boulter has not lost a set since going the distance in her first-round match against Lucie Havlickova at the start of the week.

The world No.120 is aiming to win her first WTA title since her second victory at the Nottingham Open in June 2024.

However, Boulter was victorious at a WTA Challenger event last year, winning the Clarins Open in May.