Raducanu Reaches First WTA Final Since 2021 US Open Triumph at Transylvania Open

Emma Raducanu has reached her first WTA tour final since her stunning 2021 US Open victory, booking her place in the Transylvania Open championship match after a grueling three-set semifinal victory over Oleksandra Oliynykova in Cluj, Romania. The British number one will face home favorite Sorana Cirstea on Saturday evening in what promises to be an electric atmosphere at the WTA 250 event.

The semifinal proved to be one of Raducanu's most challenging matches of the tournament, with the 22-year-old forced to dig deep after losing her serve early in the deciding third set. Rather than wilting under pressure, Raducanu showcased the mental fortitude that made her a Grand Slam champion, reeling off four of the next five games to secure the set 6-3 and punch her ticket to Saturday's final. The comeback highlighted significant growth in Raducanu's game, with the former US Open champion admitting afterward that she doesn't think she could have mounted such a recovery in previous years.

Raducanu's path to the final has been anything but straightforward. In an earlier round against Kaja Juvan, the British star found herself down 5-0 in the opening set before producing a spectacular turnaround. From that seemingly impossible deficit, Raducanu won 13 of the last 14 games to secure a comprehensive 7-5, 6-1 victory. The dramatic comeback served as a statement of intent and demonstrated that Raducanu has rediscovered the aggressive, confident style that characterized her breakthrough run in New York four and a half years ago.

Saturday's final against Cirstea represents a fascinating clash of styles and narratives. The Romanian veteran will have the passionate home crowd firmly behind her as she seeks to claim the title on home soil. Cirstea brings experience and a powerful baseline game that has troubled many of the tour's top players throughout her career. The match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. local time on Center Court, where the atmosphere is expected to be raucous given Cirstea's local hero status.

For Raducanu, the final represents far more than just another tournament. After years of injury struggles, coaching changes including a recent split from Francisco Roig, and inconsistent results, reaching this stage validates her hard work and suggests she may finally be putting together the sustained run of form that has eluded her since that magical fortnight in New York. A title victory would provide massive confidence heading into the remainder of the season and signal that Raducanu is ready to compete consistently at the highest levels of women's tennis.

The Transylvania Open final also holds significance in the broader context of British tennis, with Katie Boulter simultaneously competing in the Ostrava Open final. The potential for two British WTA titles on the same day would mark a remarkable achievement for the nation's women's tennis program and provide hope that a new generation of British stars is emerging on the international stage.