Transylvania Open: Emma Raducanu summons courage to reach first final since 2021 US Open win

Raducanu split with coach Francesco Roig after a listless second-round exit at the Australian Open in January.

However, she showed real grit as she reached the final in Romania.

“I’m very proud of the way I played, the comeback in the third set and the way I managed the match,” Raducanu said.

“I don’t think I could have done this without everyone’s support, so thank you very much.”

A tired but excited player, whose father Ion is from Bucharest, spoke briefly to the crowd in Romanian after the win.

Now only home hope Sorana Cirstea stands between Raducanu and her first trophy in five years.

The 23-year-old failed to win serve in the first set, allowing Olynikova to break serve before winning the next two games, ending the match after a grueling hour and 15 minutes.

But the top seed’s momentum waned further in the second set as Olynikova forced a decider where she was broken three times and Raducanu was forced to fight back from the breaks.

After missing the first two match points at 5-3, the Englishman saved two break points and won the third serve.

The victory ended Raducanu’s six-match losing streak in the deciding set and was her first three-set victory since beating Lee in the first round at Eastbourne in June.