Emma Raducanu LOSES her first final in almost five years in straight sets at the Transylvania Open – after requiring medical attention on court
Emma Raducanu’s quest for her first title since 2021 ended when she lost in straight sets to Sorana Cirstea in the Transylvania Open final.
The 23-year-old player needed a medical break due to health and fitness problems in the final, which was played 6-0, 6-2 on the hard court in Cluj-Napoca.
Reaching her first final since her 2021 US Open victory marked a step forward for Raducanu, especially after a difficult start to the season.
Bromley’s golden girl was, after all, knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open in January by world number 55 Anastasia Potapova in straight sets.
So, just six months later, he threw the ax to his coach Franciso Roig and began looking for the 10th coach of his career when he landed in his father Ion’s native Romania.
There are plenty of positives to take away from this week in the jewel of northeastern Romania. Raducanu showed never-say-die spirit after losing 5-0 to Kaja Juvan in the second round before overturning a set deficit against Oleksandra Oliynykova in the semi-final, a ‘brutal’ fight in which she injured her shoulder.
Emma Raducanu had to settle for a best second place in the Transylvania Open final on Saturday
The British No.1 was defeated 6-0, 6-2 by Sorana Cirstea in her first final since her US Open triumph.
He needed a medical timeout in the second set and slowed down throughout the draw.
But the clash with 35-year-old Cirstea, who was playing the final season of his career, proved to be a step too far.
A tired Raducanu scored 89 points, scoring only 31 points, hitting no aces and recording six double faults as he was beaten by his opponent.
The first set was the most brutal. Raducanu could only score 11 points en route to a 6-0 victory, giving a poor forecast for the rest of the game.
The second set looked set to be just as rough, breaking quickly and then falling 2-0 down, but Raducanu summoned a fighting spirit.
In return, he broke his opponent and brought the set back to 2-2, but the winner required medical attention between matches.
The England No 1 took a medical timeout after trailing 2-1 as doctors rushed to measure his blood pressure as he struggled to breathe.
He struggled to compete physically after regaining equality in the second setShe gave up chasing balls that she could have easily caught another day and duly lost in the WTA 250 final.
‘I would like to thank all the ball boys, all the referees and all the sponsors who made this tournament possible. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes. I want to thank the public. “You really made me feel at home this week,” he said.
It’s been a long road to the final since Raducanu defeated Leylah Fernandez in 2021.
‘I’m sorry I couldn’t do my best today. But also congratulations Sorana on an incredible week. I think you play great tennis. I don’t know if this will be your last tournament in Cluj, but I know that if it were me I would be very good. Congratulations on everything.
‘Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve had one of these conversations. I want to thank Alexis and the people in my hometown who have supported me over the last few years.
‘It’s been four or five years since my last final. This means a lot. ‘I’m really happy it’s here in Cluj.’
If she is fit to compete, the fierce fight will continue on Monday and she will face Colombian Camila Osorio in the first round of the WTA 1000 Qatar Open in Doha.
