Emma Raducanu has booked her place in just the second final of her career after grinding out a tough three-set win over Oleksandra Oliynykova.
She’ll now take on local favourite Sorana Cîrstea, setting up a final that feels tailor-made for the home crowd in Romania.
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The British number one had to dig deep to get past her Ukrainian opponent, who kept Raducanu off balance with a mix of slices, lobs, and the occasional power shot.
Oliynykova’s game may not have been flashy, but it did cause problems at times and kept the match close for much of it.
Afterward, Raducanu spoke about her opponent, how she managed key moments in the match, and gave an update on her fitness following a medical timeout during the semi-final.
Emma Raducanu shares her thoughts after reaching first final since US Open triumph
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Raducanu was quick to praise Oliynykova’s approach: “I mean, what a match, it was a proper battle, such a tricky opponent, just made so many balls, played in a way that, you know, isn’t very common. You don’t face that very much.
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“It’s such a challenge to play, especially as the balls get older and it gets a bit slower. It gets harder to put the ball away and yeah, she’s incredibly crafty and what an athlete and competitor. So I’m really, really happy to have come through that.”
Looking back on where things shifted in her favour, Raducanu pointed out two moments: “Yeah, I mean I think the key moment was… there were two. I think it was 3-1 in the second set where I was in control and then played a bit of a sloppy game. But you know if I go 4-1 up there, you don’t know how the match is going to go.”
She continued: “And then the next one turning point for sure the 2-1 game when I’ve just been broken. All of the momentum was going her way.”
“I think I lost eight points in a row and just felt like I couldn’t put the ball anywhere because she was either going to hit something that went for a winner or hit something where honestly didn’t know what do with it.”
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Raducanu then commented on why having new balls played into her hands: “Shots that she would normally make with the old ones; they were late or missing by then.
The Brit also provided clarity about taking time off during play: “Now yeah [it does], feel pretty tired.”
“Obviously played three hours today really tough physically moved so much but also when you’re playing four matches in straight succession not something done much before but feeling this pain? Sweet reward being here finals makes every bit worth while.
Emma Raducanu’s semi-final record so far
This is just the second tour-level final appearance of Emma Raducanu’s career, but she had been to the last four several times before this week in Romania.
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Friday marked her fifth semi-final appearance at this level.
Her first was the 2021 US Open, where she famously beat Maria Sakkari to reach the final against Leylah Fernandez. That’s a moment that needs no introduction, and it was a win that changed her life overnight.
Her next came a year later in Seoul, though she lost that one, beginning a run of four consecutive defeats in semi-finals that stretched over nearly five years.
She reached another last-four match in Nottingham in 2024 and again in Washington the previous year. Yesterday’s win at the Transylvania Open finally ended that streak of losses at this stage.
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