Emma Raducanu’s long and testing road back to a title match has finally led to a moment of redemption. The British No. 1 has reached her first WTA final in four years and five months, booking a spot in the Transylvania Open final in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where she will face local favourite Sorana Cirstea. For Raducanu, the final marks a significant milestone after years disrupted by injuries, inconsistency, and constant changes off the court.
Raducanu burst onto the global tennis scene in 2021 with a sensational US Open triumph, winning the title as an 18-year-old qualifier without dropping a set. That breakthrough brought instant stardom but sustaining momentum proved challenging. A series of physical setbacks, fluctuating form, and frequent coaching changes prevented her from returning to a final since that iconic night in New York.
The 23-year-old recently parted ways with coach Francisco Roig following a second-round exit at the Australian Open, adding further uncertainty around her campaign. However, the Transylvania Open has provided Raducanu with the perfect platform to rediscover rhythm and confidence.
Top-seeded Raducanu produced a resilient performance in the semifinals, overcoming Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in a hard-fought three-set battle. After winning the opening set 7-5, Raducanu dropped the second before regrouping to seal a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 victory in a match that lasted two hours and 48 minutes.
The win capped a strong week for Raducanu, who reached the final after three straight-set victories earlier in the tournament, underlining her growing confidence on indoor hard courts.
Standing between Raducanu and her first title since 2021 is Sorana Cirstea, the third seed and a crowd favourite in Cluj-Napoca. The experienced Romanian advanced to the final with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Daria Snigur, showcasing her control and composure.
At 35 years of age, Cirstea is competing in what she has confirmed will be the final season of her professional career. Currently ranked world No. 36, she will be eager to claim a title on home soil as she approaches the closing chapter of her journey on the WTA Tour.
The two players have faced each other just once before, with Raducanu securing a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Cirstea in the third round of Wimbledon 2021. While that encounter favours the Brit, the final presents a different challenge, one shaped by experience, atmosphere, and high stakes.
For Raducanu, the Transylvania Open final is about more than silverware. It represents a turning point, a chance to rebuild belief, and a reminder of the talent that once stunned the tennis world.
