Emma Raducanu vs Oleksandra Oliynykova live: British number one looks to book place in Transylvania Open final
Raducanu is looking to book a place in the final of the Transylvania Open as she continues her hunt for a second WTA title
British number one Emma Raducanu faces Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova in the semi-finals of the Transylvania Open today, with the 23-year-old aiming to continue her hunt for a second WTA singles title.
Raducanu eased past Maja Chwalinska in the quarter-finals yesterday, beating the Polish qualifier 6-0, 6-4 to book her place in the last four in Cluj.
The top seed will face world number 91 Oliynykova in the semis, with the Ukrainian entering the tournament off the back of her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this year.
And the winner will a potential final against Romanian third seed Sorana Cîrstea, who is participating in her home open for the final time in 2026.
Follow all the latest updates from Cluj below:
Raducanu: 'I’m really happy with how I came through'
“I mean what an incredible match, all props to my opponent today, she played incredible, makes it so tricky, you think its past her and the ball is on your baseline!,” says Emma Raducanu after her win.
“I’m proud of how I came back, how I managed, and I dont know if I could have done it without everyone’s support.
“I really feel like I’m at home here, so thanks so much everyone.
“I’m really happy with how I came through this,” she adds before giving a short message in Romanian!
Who could Raducanu face in the final?
Raducanu could face either Sorana Cîrstea or Daria Snigur in Saturday’s final.
Home hopeful Cîrstea is playing her final home Open after announcing her impending retirement, and she began the tournament as third seed.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Snigur is ranked 144 in the world, though she did beat second-seed Jaqueline Cristian in the round of 16.
GAME, SET & MATCH! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 5-3 Oleksandra Oliynykova
Raducanu needs to be careful here! She’s fallen to a 30-0 lead and needs to prevent another break as she tries to serve for the match.
A good response to begin with, forcing the error from Oliynykova, but she hooks long for 15-40!
Two break points for the Ukrainian here...the first goes long, so can she take the second?
She can’t! A beauty of a drop shot lands out of reach and Raducanu saves it for now.
And again! Another superb drop shot, sliced on the half-volley to give her match point!
And the British number one seals it! Oliynykova goes long and Raducanu is into the final of the Transylvania Open!
*Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 5-3 Oleksandra Oliynykova
Raducanu closing in on the win here as Oliynykova fires wide and then long on the first two points for 0-30.
The Briton finds a winner on the third point and she’ll have three match points, though the first one is saved as she goes wide.
And a lovely slice from Oliynykova keeps her in it, creeping over the net for 30-40, before Raducanu’s shot crashes against the net and they move to deuce.
The Ukrainian moves into the advantage after some good defensive play, but she finds the net again to bring it back to deuce.
No matter though, as a perfect lob lands in to take the game.
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 5-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
A brilliant passing shot to begin with from Raducanu, answering the question from Oliynykova and fizzing a great shot past her for 15-0.
Oliynykova goes long on the next two points after some good approach play from Raducanu, and the Briton consolidates the break as her opponent finds the net.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 4-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova
*denotes next to serve
A potentially vital game for Raducanu if she can secure a break here, with Oliynykova struggling a bit.
She makes a good start as the Ukrainian hits a wild return out before slicing wide for 0-40!
And she wraps up a very quick game as Oliynykova finds the net!
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 3-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
A quick 30-0 lead for Raducanu before Oliynykova sends a shot past the baseline and then another wide for 3-2.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 2-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova
A good start from Raducanu, with more good approach play, but Oliynykova brings it level before a great rally ends with the Ukrainian firing narrowly wide to give the top seed a 40-15 lead!
Two break points, but Oliynykova saves the first...before a clever cushioned volley brings the break for the Briton!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 1-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
*denotes next to serve
Not the best of starts for Raducanu as she falls 30-0 behind, before a brilliant baxkhand passing shot from Oliynykova gives her three break points!
She only needs one, approaching the net before firing into the empty space for the break.
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