The long wait is finally over for Emma Raducanu.
At the Transylvania Open, the Briton booked her first WTA final in more than four years with a hard-earned 7–5, 3–6, 6–3 victory over Oleksandra Oliynykova, bringing an end to a prolonged absence from championship matches.
It is Raducanu’s first final since her unforgettable US Open triumph in 2021, achieved at just 18 years old. Injuries and fluctuating form have since stalled her momentum, but in Cluj she has rediscovered the resilience required to win at the business end of tournaments.
A Marathon Opening Set Sets the Tone
The match began with a punishing opening set that lasted 72 minutes, longer than two of Raducanu’s earlier matches combined this week. The Briton edged it 7–5, though not without turbulence.
Raducanu twice failed to close the set on serve and had to fend off sustained pressure as Oliynykova raised her level. Only after a sequence of extended deuce games did Raducanu finally pull clear, sealing the set with a composed hold after breaking late.
That closing surge formed part of an 11-point run, hinting that the momentum might be turning decisively in her favour.
Emma Raducanu vs Oleksandra Oliynykova – Set One Stats
| Statistic | Emma Raducanu | Oleksandra Oliynykova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.23 | 0.81 |
| Serve Rating | 264 | 241 |
| Aces | 0 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 77% (33/43) | 73% (36/49) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 76% (25/33) | 64% (23/36) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 30% (3/10) | 38% (5/13) |
| Break Points Saved | 75% (3/4) | 50% (2/4) |
| Service Games | 83% (5/6) | 67% (4/6) |
| Ace % | 0% | 0% |
| Double Fault % | 4.7% | 2% |
| Return Rating | 181 | 136 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 36% (13/36) | 24% (8/33) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 62% (8/13) | 70% (7/10) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (2/4) | 25% (1/4) |
| Return Games | 33% (2/6) | 17% (1/6) |
| Pressure Points | 63% (5/8) | 38% (3/8) |
| Service Points | 65% (28/43) | 57% (28/49) |
| Return Points | 43% (21/49) | 35% (15/43) |
| Total Points | 53% (49/92) | 47% (43/92) |
| Set 1 Duration | 1h13m | |
Oliynykova Fights Back as Momentum Swings Again
The Ukrainian, ranked No. 91 and coming off her first Top-50 win and first WTA semi-final, had other ideas. She responded immediately in the second set, breaking early and growing in belief.
From 1–3 down, Oliynykova reeled off five games in a row, capitalising on a dip in Raducanu’s intensity to force a decider. What looked like a breakthrough moment for the former US Open champion instead became a reminder of how fragile rhythm can be after long battles.
Emma Raducanu vs Oleksandra Oliynykova – Set Two Stats
| Statistic | Emma Raducanu | Oleksandra Oliynykova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.95 | 1.06 |
| Serve Rating | 160 | 191 |
| Aces | 0 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 3 | 5 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% (19/30) | 68% (19/28) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 58% (11/19) | 68% (13/19) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 17% (2/12) | 0% (0/9) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (3/6) | 50% (2/4) |
| Service Games | 25% (1/4) | 60% (3/5) |
| Ace % | 0% | 0% |
| Double Fault % | 10% | 17.9% |
| Return Rating | 222 | 250 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 32% (6/19) | 42% (8/19) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 100% (9/9) | 83% (10/12) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (2/4) | 50% (3/6) |
| Return Games | 40% (2/5) | 75% (3/4) |
| Pressure Points | 50% (5/10) | 50% (5/10) |
| Service Points | 43% (13/30) | 46% (13/28) |
| Return Points | 54% (15/28) | 57% (17/30) |
| Total Points | 48% (28/58) | 52% (30/58) |
| Set 2 Duration | 0h51m | |
Raducanu Digs In When It Matters Most
The third set followed the match’s established pattern: long rallies, physical exchanges, and repeated pressure on serve. After Oliynykova struck first, Raducanu steadied herself just in time, clawing back with a crucial break after a punishing rally to halt the slide.
A clean hold finally put her back in front, and another burst of points earned a decisive break. Even then, the contest refused to end quietly. Oliynykova saved three match points, forcing Raducanu to serve it out again.
This time, the Briton held firm.
Emma Raducanu vs Oleksandra Oliynykova – Set Three Stats
| Statistic | Emma Raducanu | Oleksandra Oliynykova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.44 | 0.69 |
| Serve Rating | 303 | 225 |
| Aces | 0 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 81% (21/26) | 75% (18/24) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 67% (14/21) | 50% (9/18) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 75% (3/4) | 50% (3/6) |
| Break Points Saved | 67% (2/3) | 67% (4/6) |
| Service Games | 80% (4/5) | 50% (2/4) |
| Ace % | 0% | 0% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 0% |
| Return Rating | 183 | 111 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 50% (9/18) | 33% (7/21) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 50% (3/6) | 25% (1/4) |
| Break Points Won | 33% (2/6) | 33% (1/3) |
| Return Games | 50% (2/4) | 20% (1/5) |
| Pressure Points | 44% (4/9) | 56% (5/9) |
| Service Points | 65% (17/26) | 50% (12/24) |
| Return Points | 50% (12/24) | 35% (9/26) |
| Total Points | 58% (29/50) | 42% (21/50) |
| Set 3 Duration | 1h30m | |
After nearly three hours on court, Raducanu closed the door and secured her place in the Transylvania Open final, where she will face Sorana Cirstea on February 7.
Respect For Oliynykova From Raducanu
After the grueling three-set battle at the Transylvania Open, Raducanu was quick to praise Oleksandra Oliynykova, acknowledging just how demanding the contest was from start to finish.
Ultimately, a long forehand from the Ukrainian ended the resistance, sealing Raducanu’s fourth consecutive win since parting ways with coach Francisco Roig and sending her into just the second WTA final of her career.
“I mean, yeah, what an incredible match. All the credit to my opponent today — she played unbelievably,” Raducanu said afterwards. “It’s extremely difficult to hit any ball past her. You think the point is over, and suddenly the ball is on your baseline or sideline — it’s so tough.”
Despite dropping the second set, Raducanu highlighted her resilience in the decider as her biggest takeaway.
“What I’m most proud of is how I fought, how I came back in the third set, and how I managed the match,” she reflected. “And honestly, I don’t think I could’ve done it without the support today, so thank you so, so much.”
Raducanu was backed loudly throughout the match, with many Romanian fans urging her on as if she were playing at home — a response that even caught her by surprise.
“I mean, it’s just an incredible feeling,” she said. “I really feel at home here, so thank you to everyone.”
The Meaning Behind “Haide”
One moment that stood out late in the match was Raducanu shouting “Haide” — the Romanian word for let’s go — at key moments. Asked about it afterwards, she explained it as a sign of her competitive instincts taking over.
“When the ‘Haide’ comes out, it means I’m really digging in,” Raducanu smiled. “It just kind of happens — ever since juniors — whenever things get really tight.”
“That’s when the real competitor comes out. I’m really happy with how I battled through, and hearing all the ‘Haide’ chants was so special.”
With little time to recover before the final, Raducanu kept her closing message short but heartfelt.
“Today I’m very tired to speak much Romanian, but thank you very much,” she laughed. “And yeah, I can’t wait to play the final tomorrow.”
Raducanu will face Sorana Cirstea in the Transylvania Open final, with an electric atmosphere expected in Cluj-Napoca.
The home favorite is likely to receive the lion’s share of support as she plays what could be the final season of her career — but Raducanu now stands one win away from her first title since the US Open in 2021.